title: Suppression of mast cell activity contributes to the osteoprotective effect of an herbal formula containing Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Fructus Psoraleae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mast cells are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis as their number is increased in osteoporotic bones. Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Fructus Psoraleae are three Chinese herbs traditionally for tonifying the 'kidney system' and a herbal formula (ELP) containing the respective herbs at the weight ratio of 5 : 4 : 1 was shown to prevent osteoporosis. This study evaluated if suppression of mast cell accumulation and activity contribute to the anti-osteoporotic action of ELP.
  
  
  METHODS
  The herbs were boiled under reflux to produce the aqueous extract that was further concentrated under reduced pressure and lyophilized. An in-vivo rat osteoporosis model using hind limb unloading was employed for studying the accumulation of mast cells. The human mast cell line, LAD2, was employed to evaluate the mast cell modulating action of ELP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mast cell number in the tibiae of hind limb unloaded rats increased significantly during the course of osteoporosis. ELP treatment (10 g/kg/day) prevented both osteoporosis and mast cell accumulation in these rats. Furthermore, ELP significantly inhibited histamine and tumour necrosis factor-α release from LAD2 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mast cells contributed to hormone independent osteoporosis. The suppression of mast cell accumulation and activation may contribute to the anti-osteoporotic action of ELP.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ben Chung Lap
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Hoi Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wing Sum
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: Kwok Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Chun Hay
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Clara Bik San
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Ping Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Hang Yung Alaster
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002460:Cell Line; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D034181:Epimedium; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D031659:Ligustrum; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D029907:Psoralea; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013977:Tibia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006632:Histamine
keywords: bone mineral density; herbal formula; hind limb unloading; mast cells; osteoporosis