[Effects of Danshensu on bone formation in ovariectomized rats]

Objective: To investigate the effects of Danshensu on bone formation in ovariectomized rats.Methods: Thirty female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rats in each:blank control group, model control group and Danshensu group. The osteoporosis model was induced by bilateral ovariectomy and rats in Danshensu group were fed with Danshensu 12.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 by gavage after ostroporosis model induced. All animals were sacrificed after 90 days. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body, femur and lumbar vertebra was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The biomechanical properties of femur were measured by AG-IS mechanical universal testing machine. Serum osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphates (BALP) levels were measured by ELISA. The number of osteoblasts of proximal femoral metaphysis was counted with light microscopy after HE staining. Results: Compared with blank control group, BMD, biomechanical properties of femur, serum osteocalcin and BALP levels and the number of osteoblasts were decreased in model control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). While compared with model control group, BMDs of the whole body, femur and lumbar vertebra, the elastic modulus, maximum load, yield strength, breaking point load of femur, the serum levels of osteocalcin and BALP, and the number of osteoblasts were significantly improved in Danshensu group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: Danshensu can improve bone quality by increasing bone density, improving biomechanical properties, promoting the expression of osteogenesis-related factors, and increasing the number of osteoblasts.