Influence of alpha-escin on the femoral bone strength in ovariectomized rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of alpha-escin (35 mg/kg po, daily) administered for 4 weeks on the femoral bone strength in 3-month-old ovariectomized Wistar rats. The experiments were carried out on four groups of animals: I (C)-control sham operated rats, II (OVX)-ovariectomized rats, III (E)-sham operated rats which were administered alpha-escin, IV (OVX+E)-ovariectomized rats which were administered alpha-escin. Bilateral ovariectomy caused osteopenic skeletal changes in mature female rats. alpha-Escin (35 mg/kg po, daily) administered to the ovariectomized rats for 28 days only to little extent decreased the development of osteopenic skeletal changes which were caused by bilateral ovariectomy. alpha-Escin (35 mg/kg po, daily) administered to the sham operated rats for 28 days caused slight changes in the skeletal system, which were characterized by the increase in the bone formation processes.