| Objective To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on bone strength and bone mass in aged rats and explore possible mechanisms. Methods Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Con, 10 3-month-old rats); model group (Mod, 10 24-month-old aged rats) and aged rats + ginsenoside Rh2 Group (Rszg, rats received 300 mg / kg ginsenoside Rh2 treatment for 12 weeks). After 12 weeks, bilateral femurs were taken and analyzed by micro-CT (Micro-CT), histopathological sections, bone biomechanics, and Western blot (WB) detection. Results The bone density (BMD), bone microstructure, maximum load and elastic modulus of the Mod group rats were significantly lower than those of the Con group (P <0.05). After treatment with ginsenoside Rh2, bone mineral density, bone microstructure, maximum load, and elastic modulus were significantly improved, which was statistically significant (P <0.05). WB detection showed that the expression levels of OPG and Runx2 in Mod group were significantly lower than those in Con group, while the expression levels of RANKL were significantly increased (P <0.05). The expression levels of OPG and Runx2 in the Rszg group were significantly increased compared with the Mod group, while the expression levels of RANKL were significantly decreased. Conclusions Ginsenoside Rh2 treatment can significantly improve femoral bone strength and bone mass in aged rats, and this effect may be mediated by the OPG / RANKL signaling pathway. |