Effects of Epimedium Rhizoma Drynariae Combined with Bone Nutritional Tonic on Rats with Osteoporosis

Objective: To study the effects of Epimedium Rhizoma Drynariae deer bone combined with bone nutritional tonic on osteoporosis rats induced by ovariectomized. Methods: Ovariectomized rats were prepared and randomly divided into model group, positive drug group (1.0 mg/kg·bw Estradiol valerate tablets), traditional Chinese medicine group (0.17 g/kg·bw Epimedium Rhizoma Drynariae extract, 0.08 g/kg·bw Deer bone meal), nutritional supplement group (0.17 g/kg·bw Glucosamine hydrochloride, 0.08 g/kg·bw Chondroitin sulfate, 0.17 g/kg·bw Calcium carbonate), compound group (0.17 g/kg·bw Epimedium Rhizoma Drynariae extract, 0.08 g/kg·bw Deer bone meal, 0.17 g/kg·bw Glucosamine hydrochloride, 0.08 g/kg·bw Chondroitin sulfate, 0.17 g/kg·bw Calcium carbonate)and sham operation group. The gavage volume of the above groups was 10 mL/kg·bw, 1 time/day, for 12 successive weeks, adjusted the gavage volume according to the weekly weight. After 12 weeks, the femoral bone density and bone calcium content of rats were measured, and the bone histopathological examination was performed. Results: The main functional components in the hydrating extract of Epimedium Rhizoma Drynariae were icariin (0.78%) and total flavonoids(4.38%). Twelve weeks later, compared with the model group, the bone mineral density and bone calcium content of SD rats in the traditional Chinese medicine group and the nutritional supplement group did not change significantly (P>0.05). The bone density and bone calcium content of SD rats in the compound group were significantly higher than those of rats in the model group (P<0.05). The traditional Chinese medicine group and the nutrient group had a trend to relieve osteoporosis, but it was not significant (P>0.05). The compound could increase the bone trabecular components and reduce the sparseness, thinning and fracture of the bone trabecula (P<0.01). Conclusion: The compound group has the effect of increasing the bone density and bone calcium content of rats, effectively reducing the degree of osteoporosis, and increasing the bone trabecular components. The compound group is more effective than the traditional Chinese medicine or nutrient alone.