Effect of 17beta-oestradiol and ginsenoside on osteoporosis in ovariectomised rats

To study the anti-osteoporosis effects and mechanism of action of oestradiol (E2) and ginsenoside (tR), we measured the bone mineral densities (BMD) of lumbar vertebra and tibia and analysed the tibia histological morphological data, as well observed the activity and the number of osteoblasts and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the concentration of cAMP. Results showed that E2 (400 microg kg- 1 week- 1) and tR (10, 20, 30 mg kg- 1 day- 1) were able to countervail the decreasing in BMDs of lumbar vertebra and tibia induced by OVX in rats (P<0.05); E2 (0.1 micromol l- 1) and ginsenoside Rg1 (1 micromol l- 1 and 10 micromol l- 1) were able to increase the number of osteoblasts, the activity of ALP and the concentration of intercellular cAMP in cultured osteoblast cells. The present findings suggest that E2 and tR have an anti-osteoporosis effect in ovariectomised rats.