| Objective To investigate the effect of arctiin (AGN) on bone strength and bone mass in ovariectomized rats and explore possible mechanisms. Methods In this study, osteoporosis rat models were established by bilateral ovariectomy; then they were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham), ovariectomized group (OVX), and arctiin group (AGN), each group with 10 rats. The arctiin group rats were treated with arctiin (40mg / kg / day) for 12 weeks; after treatment, Micro-CT, Masson stained sections, bone metabolism indicators, bone biomechanical testing and Western blot were used to observe the treatment effect and possible Mechanisms. Results After 12 weeks of treatment, compared with the OVX group, the number of bone trabeculae and bone density in the AGN group were significantly improved. BMD, TV / BV, Tb.N, Tb.Th and Tb.Sp of rats in AGN group were significantly improved compared with those in OVX group (P<0.05). At 12 weeks of treatment, the limit load and stiffness of the AGN group were significantly increased compared to the OVX group (P<0.05), while the levels of bone metabolism indicators AKP and TRACP in the AGN group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the OVX group, the expression level of OPG in the AGN group was significantly increased, while the expression level of RANKL was significantly decreased, and there was a statistical difference (P<0.05). This indicates that the OPG/RANKL signaling pathway in the AGN group was activated. Conclusion Arctiin can mediate the protective effect on the bones of ovariectomized rats through the activation of OPG / RANKL signaling pathway. |