Effects of total coumarins of Cnidium monnieri on bone density and biomechanics of glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of total coumarins from dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri (TCCM) on glucocorticoids (GC)-induced osteoporosis (OP) in rats.


METHODS
Single photon absorptiometric and biomechanical character measurements of femurs were used.


RESULTS
The bone density (BD) indices in proximal, middle, and distal segments in GC group were decreased by 12% (P < 0.05), 14% (P < 0.05), and 12% (P < 0.05), respectively vs control group. The BD on proximal, middle, and distal segments in GC-TCCM group were increased by 26% (P < 0.01), 34% (P < 0.01), and 31% (P < 0.01), respectively vs GC group. The biomechanical competence in femoral middle segments in GC group tended to decrease vs control group. In GC-TCCM group, the torsional strength, energy, maximal torsional angle, and rigidity were increased by 15% (P < 0.05), 32% (P < 0.05), 14% (P > 0.05), and 13% (P > 0.05), respectively vs the GC group.


CONCLUSIONS
TCCM not only prevented glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis but also increased the torsional strength of femurs in rats.
D000818:Animals; D019661:Apiaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D003374:Coumarins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011241:Prednisone; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley