title: Bu-Shen-Ning-Xin Decoction ameliorated the osteoporotic phenotype of ovariectomized mice without affecting the serum estrogen concentration or uterus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bu-Shen-Ning-Xin Decoction (BSNXD), a traditional Chinese medicinal composition, has been used as a remedy for postmenopausal osteoporosis, but its effects on bone metabolism and the uterus have not been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the respective effects of BSNXD on the bones and the uterus of ovariectomized (OVX) mice to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this herbal formula.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postmenopausal osteoporosis animal models that were generated by ovariectomy were treated with BSNXD. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to analyze the bone mineral density, and histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the parameters related to bone metabolism. Calcein labeling was performed to detect bone formation. The uteruses from the mice were weighed, and the histomorphometry was analyzed. Drug-derived serum was prepared to assess the 17-β-estradiol concentration via enzyme immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BSNXD administration ameliorated the osteoporotic phenotype of OVX mice, as evidenced by an increase in the bone mineral density and bone volume; these effects could not be abolished by the administration of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. Moreover, BSNXD had no effect on the serum estrogen concentration or uterus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that BSNXD has ameliorating effects on bone loss due to estrogen deprivation without affecting the peripheral blood estrogen concentration or the uterus in OVX mice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IBS, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IBS, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xue-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IBS, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu-Yan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IBS, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ying-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Wagner Jauregg Hospital and Children's Hospital, Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gober
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IBS, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Da-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000818:Animals; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010641:Phenotype; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C000607029:bu-shen-ning-xin; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: OVX; bone phenotype; estrogen; postmenopausal osteoporosis; traditional Chinese medicine