Abstract
Objective : This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Eucommiae Cortex on the osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods : We used Sprague-Dawley female rats in 8-week-old. They were divided into three groups. Sample group was ovariectomized and administered with 10 mg/100 g/day Eucommiae Cortex extract solution for 10 weeks. Control group was ovariectomized and sham group was conducted by sham's operation. And control group and sham group were administered with normal saline as the same way. We measured rats's body and uterus weight and also measured the serum levels of Ca, phosphorus and ALP. We stained the specimens of rat's tibial bones with Goldner's modified Masson's Trichrome and then examined bone histomorphometry with Bioquant computer program of image analysis system. We measured the thickness of osteoid and callus as static parameters and measured bone volume and mineral apposition rate as dynamic parameters. We observed the expressions of RANKL and OPG mRNA of the tibial bone by RT-PCR. Results : The body weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased in control and sample groups compared with sham group, respectively. The uterus weight was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in control and sample group compared with sham group. In the change of Ca, phosphorus and ALP there were no significant changes among three groups. There were no significant changes of trabecula cortical and osteoid bones' thickness and volume. But trabecula mineral apposition rate (MAR) was significantly (p<0.05) increased in sham and sample group compared with control group. In the expression of RANKL mRNA, sample group was decreased compared with control group, and in that of OPG mRNA, sample group was increased compared with control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Eucommiae Cortex has the beneficial effects on bone histomorphometry and metabolism in the ovariectomized rats. We suggest that Eucommiae Cortex be useful for the treatment of osteoporosis.