Qu Feng Zhi Tong capsule increases mechanical properties of cortical bone in ovariectomised rats

摘要

Backgroud/objectiveQu Feng Zhi Tong capsule (QF, Buchang Pharma, Xi'an, Shanxi, China) is officially approved Fufang formula in China for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, it consists of seven herbs, among whichErodium stephanianum, Dipsacus asper,andViscum Coloratumwere reported to be able to prevent bone loss and promote bone healing. Moreover, osthole fromAngelica pubescensexerted anabolic effect on cortical bone by activating β-catenin-bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. So, we hypothesise that the formula QF has beneficial potential on preventing osteoporosis.MethodIn this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the main constituents in QF, and SD female rats were ovariectomised (OVX) to examine antiosteoporotic efficacy. Thirty OVX rats were orally administrated with QF (162 and 648??mg/kg/day, L-QF, and H-QF) or estradiol (1??mg/kg/day, E2) for 12 weeks. Sham and OVX control group were treated with vehicle.ResultsEleven compounds in QF extract were identified using HPLC, and the sum of their peak areas was covered 44.2% of total peak area of QF extract. As toin vivoresults, compared to OVX group, H-QF had significantly higher ultimate load (P??