Effect of cell cultures of Saussurea involucrata on bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of Saussurea involucrate by cell culture on increasing the calcium content and bone density after 90 days feed in ovariectomized rats. Methods Osteoporosis model rats were induced by ovariectomy, treated with 16.7、33.3、100 mg/（kg？d）cell culture of Saussurea involucrate for 90 days. Body weight was observed, calcium content was measured through atomic absorption method and the bone density was detected by bone sonometers. Results cell culture of Saussurea involucrate（16.7、33.3、100 mg/kg）can increase the calcium content[（380.1 ± 1.9）mg/g、（370.7 ± 1.1）mg/g、（363.5 ± 2.4）mg/g] significantly（P〈0.01）than the model group; increase distal femoral bone mineral density[（0.041 ± 0.017）g/cm2、（0.042±0.023）g/cm2、（0.040±0.008）g/cm2] significantly（P〈0.01 or 0.05） than the model group（0.022±0.014）g/cm2; and also increase the middle femoral bone mineral density, the low-dose group （0.305±0.030）g/cm2 significantly （P〈0.05） than the model group（0.259±0.061）g/cm2. Conclusion The cell culture of Saussurea involucrate has the effect of increasing the bone density. Key words: Cell culture of Saussurea involucrate; Bone density; Osteoporosis