[Study of morphologic effects of 4 Chinese herbs by bone histomorphometry in ovariectomized rats]

To study the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbs Drynaria, Cynomorium, Epimedium and Chain Fern on osteoporotic ovariectomized (OVX) rat models.

54 Wistar female rats at the age of 3 months were randomly divided into 2 groups: control groups and experimental group. The control group included: normal groups (N), shamed oprations group(S) and ovariectomized group (OVX) (10 in each group); The experimental group: group A (Drynaria), group B (Cynomorium), group C (Epimedium) and group D (Chain Fern) (6 in each group). Each of the experimental groups was fed separately with the 4 Chinese herbs (0.25 g/100 g B.W/day) respectively by mouth every day for 2 months. Double tetracycline labels were carried out on these animals before the sacrifice. Their left tibia was reserved for the preparation of bone specimen and was studied by bone histomorphometry.

The percentage of trabecular volume in total bone volume (TV/TBV) decreased significantly in OVX rats as compared with shame group (P < 0.01). However, after treatment with Drynaria or Epimedium, TV/TBV increased significantly as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). The surface area of tetracycline label in Drynaria group lowered and osteoid percentage increased in Epimedium group.

The 4 Chinese herbs have some therapeutic effects on osteoporotic rat models. Drynaria and Epimedium appeared to work better.