title: [Effects of rat serum containing total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum on development of osteoblasts].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum (TFE) on the proliferation and differentiation of newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB).
  
  
  METHODS
  TFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0. 1, 1, 10 and 100 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The serum of rats administered TFES (SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation was studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TFE had no appreciable and on cell proliferation and differentiation at any concentration. However, 2.5% and 5% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation strongly and, 5% SRAT significantly promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin secretion, calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The metabolites of TFE should be the anti-osteoporosis constitutes of Epimedium sagittatum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Lanzhou General Hospital, PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zheng-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Ke-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Ru-Xue
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Mao-Xing
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D002118:Calcium