Effect of geraniin on dexamethasone-induced rat osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of geraniin on dexamethasone- induced experimental osteoporosis. Methods The female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, geraniin(5,10 or 20 mg/kg)groups and alendronate group. The bone mineral density (BMD)and histomorphometry of both femur and lumbar vertebra were measured. Results The BMD of the femur and lumbar vertebra in the control group was(0.20±0.01)and(0.18±0.01)g/cm2, and that in model group was(0.15±0.01)and(0.10±0.01)g/cm2, with the difference being significant(P< 0.05). As compared with the model group, 10 and 20 mg/kg geraniin significantly increased the BMD of both femur and lumbar vertebra. For the model rats administrated with geraniin (5 mg/kg), some parameters including percentage of trabecular area(% Tb.Ar), the trabecular separation(Tb.Sp)and trabecular joint(JOINT)were increased. For both fermur and vertebra, geraniin(10 or 20 mg/kg)increased the trabecular number(Tb.N), trabecular width(Tb.Wi),% Tb.Ar and JOINT of the model rats. Conclusion Geraniin inhibits dexamethasone-induced rat osteoporosis with a dose-response relationship. Key words: Geraniin; Bone mineral density; Osteoporosis