| Objective To study the effects of different pharmacological components of Eucommia ulmoides flavonoids on postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, estrogen group and drug group. The drug groups were quercetin group, kaempferol group and rutin group. Sham operation group and model group were given sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), estrogen group and drug group were given estrogen and corresponding drugs, respectively. After 12 weeks, body weight and uterine weight of rats were measured, bone formation and metabolic makers in blood and urine were assessed, and Micro-CT was analyzed for bone related parameters and trabecular bone morphology. Results The three kinds of Eucommia flavonoids had no significant effect on body weight, and serum calcium, phosphorus and creatinine levels of ovariectomized rats, but could reduce the loss of calcium and phosphorus in urine and inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity, with greater effects in the kaempferol group compared with the quercetin group and rutin group. The three kinds of Eucommia flavonoids all could increase bone density and improve bone microstructure, especially kaempferol, but did not lead to total recovery of trabecular structure. Conclusion The three drugs of quercetin, kaempferol and rutin in flavonoids of eucommia ulmoides had anti-postmenopausal osteoporosis effects, and kaempferol had the strongest effect, followed by rutin and quercetin. |