| Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cinnamic aldehyde on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mass in a rat osteoporosis model induced by ovariectomy. Methods In this study, 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were undergoing ovariectomy or sham surgery. After 12 weeks the rats were assigned to the cinnamic aldehyde group (RGQ group), the control group (CON group), and the ovariectomized group (OVX group). BMD of the rat femurs and lumbar vertebra, levels of serum cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and femoral histomorphometry were examined. Results Ovariectomy significantly reduced BMD, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and trabecular area in rats. In addition, it significantly increased trabecular resolution and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels when compared with CON, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After RGQ treatment, BMD, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and trabecular area in group RGQ rats were significantly increased, and trabecular resolution and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced when compared with the CON group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Cinnamic aldehyde has protective effects on BMD and bone mass in a rat osteoporosis model induced by ovariectomy. |