Objective: To investigate the effect of icariin total flavonoids capsules (ITFC) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone histomorphometry in growing rats and its anti-osteoporosis mechanism. Methods: Thirty female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control group, ITFC-1 group and ITFC-2 group. Rats in ITFC-1 group and ITFC-2 group were fed with 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 or 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 ITFC, respectively, and those in normal control group were fed with equal volume of distilled water. The whole body BMD was measured after 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and BMDs of the right femur and lumbar vertebrae were measured after 12 weeks. The serum levels of tartaric acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were measured by ELISA. Bone morphometry was performed on the right tibia. Results: There were no significant differences in the body weight increase between normal control group and two ITFC groups (all P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in whole body BMDs after 4 and 8 weeks between normal control group and ITFC groups (all P>0.05). After 12 weeks, the whole body BMD, BMD of bone in vitro, serum BALP level and trabecular area in ITFC-1 group and ITFC-2 group were significantly higher, trabecular separation was significantly lower than that in normal control group (all P<0.05); and the trabecular width and the number in ITFC-2 group were also significantly higher, and serum TRACP 5b level was significantly lower than that in normal control group (all P<0.05). The BMD of bone in vitro, serum BALP level, trabecular number and area in ITFC-2 group were significantly higher, and serum TRACP 5b level was significantly lower than that in ITFC-1 group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: ITFC can prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone density and bone formation, decreasing bone resorption and improving microstructure of bone.
目的: 研究淫羊藿总黄酮胶囊（ITFC）对生长期大鼠峰值骨密度和骨形态计量学的影响，探索其抗骨质疏松的作用机制。
方法: 30只雌性SD大鼠按体质量随机分为正常对照组、ITFC-1组及ITFC-2组。其中，ITFC-1组和ITFC-2组分别以50 mg·kg -1·d -1 ITFC和100 mg·kg -1·d -1ITFC灌胃，正常对照组灌服等体积蒸馏水。在灌胃后4、8、12周测定全身骨密度。12周后处死大鼠检测右侧股骨和腰椎骨骨密度；ELISA法检测血清抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶5b（TRACP 5b）和骨碱性磷酸酶（BALP）水平；右侧胫骨进行骨形态计量学分析。
结果: 与正常对照组比较，ITFC-1组和ITFC-2组大鼠体质量增加减少，但差异无统计学意义（均 P>0.05）。4周和8周时，ITFC-1组和ITFC-2组全身骨密度均有所提高，但与正常对照组差异无统计学意义（均 P>0.05）。12周时，ITFC-1组和ITFC-2组大鼠全身骨密度、离体骨密度及血清BALP和骨小梁面积百分比均高于正常对照组（均 P＜0.05），骨小梁分离度均低于正常对照组（均 P＜0.05）；ITFC-2组大鼠骨小梁宽度和数量均高于正常对照组，血清TRACP 5b低于正常对照组（均 P＜0.05）；ITFC-2组大鼠离体骨密度、血清BALP、骨小梁数量和面积百分比均高于ITFC-1组，骨小梁分离度和血清TRACP 5b均低于ITFC-1组（均 P＜0.05）。
结论: ITFC有可能通过提高骨密度、增加骨形成、降低骨吸收及改善骨组织微结构来预防老年骨质疏松的发生。