title: [Effects of Icariin on ovariectomized osteoporotic rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effects of Icariin on ovariectomized osteoporotic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and administered different dosage of Icariin and 17beta-estradiol for eight weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD), indexes of biomechanics and bone metabolism-associated biochemical markers were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Icariin increased the BMD, maximum load and flexural rigidity in the osteoporotic rats. The activities of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were decreased in the Icraiin-fed ovariectomized rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Icariin 225mg/kg per day could increase the BMD and improve indexes of bone biomechanics in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats. It was effective in preventing bone loss induced by ovariectomy.
authors.affiliation: Life Science College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
authors.forename: Jia-rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Ji-wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shu-feng
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qinglan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yunqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D007527:Isoenzymes; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; C056599:icariin