OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of action of the Chinese medicinal preparation Qianggu decoction on perimenopausal osteoporotic SD rats.
METHOD HPLC was used to establish the standard fingerprint profile of Qianggu decoction. Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, estradiol valerate group, and high (12 g · kg-1) and low (6 g · kg-1) dose groups of Qianggu decoction, with 10 rats in each group. The perimenopausal osteoporosis rat model was prepared by bilateral ovariectomy method, and saline, estradiol or high and low doses of Qianggu decoction were administered by gavage for 30 days. The weight and uterine weight of the rats were recorded, and the bone mechanics related indexes were measured, and the number of osteoblasts and the area of bone trabeculae in the femur were observed by HE staining. Wnt3a, β-catenin, VEGF and OPG gene expression levels were detected by PCR; VEGFR-2 and CD31 were detected by immunofluorescence, and angiogenesis was evaluated. The protein expression of Wnt3a, p-GSK3β, VEGF, β-catenin, Lamin were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS The fingerprint similarity of the 10 batches of Qianggu decoction was greater than 0.9, indicating that the quality of the 10 batches of samples was stable. Compared with the model group, estradiol valerate-treated group and high and low dose Qianggu decoction-treated groups could significantly improve the uterine index, bone density and bone mechanical properties of rats(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), significantly improve bone microstructure, and increase the levels of Wnt3a, β-catenin, VEGF, OPG mRNA in femoral tissue(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), as well as VEGF, CD31, Wnt3a, p-GSK3β, β-catenin, Lamin protein expressions(P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION Qianggu decoction may regulate VEGF expression and promote angiogenesis through Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus increasing bone density and improving bone tissue morphology in rats, and then exerted anti-osteoporosis effects.
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