In vitro study of the effects of Epimedium on osteoclastic bone resorption in various oral mineralized tissues.
OBJECTIVE
To investigated the bone resorption caused by osteoclasts and modulating functions of a Chinese herb, Epimedium on bone resorption.


METHODS
Osteoclasts were separated from long-limb bones of new born rabbits, cultured with de-activated human tooth slices and glass slices, and treated with different concentrations of Epimedium. Osteoclasts on glass slices were stained by HE staining, TUNEL staining and absorption pits on tooth slices were observed by light microscope.


RESULTS
HE staining shows that the Epimedium treated cells showed shrinkage of cytosol and condensation of nuclei. Some treated cells showed breakage of nuclei. TUNEL staining shows that treated cells showed shrinkage of cytosol, dark stained nuclei and light stained cytosol. These results indicate that Epimedium can induce osteoclast to commit apoptosis. Further study shows that the number and area of absorption pits formed on treated tissues are significantly different from those on control tissues. So the effect of Epimedium on bone resorption is dose-dependent.


CONCLUSIONS
Epimedium can induce osteoclast apoptosis and inhibit bone resorption. The effect of Epimedium on bone resorption is dose-dependent.
Li
Jingjing
J
Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Yu
Shifeng
S
Li
Tiejun
T
Pang
Shuzhen
S
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D034181:Epimedium; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits
D010936:Plant Extracts