| Objective To explore the effects of Zuogui pill and Yougui pill on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in ovariectomized rats based on AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and its mechanism. Methods Sixty female rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, and one group was a blank control (KB); one group simulated the operation process, and intragastric distilled water (SHAM) was started 3 days after the operation; The remaining four groups underwent ovariectomy, and intragastric administration of distilled water (OVX), progyal (BJL), Yougui pill (YGW) and Zuogui pill (ZGW) were started 3 days after the operation. Twelve weeks later, rat femur and tibia bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured, and the inducer was added to the third generation to induce osteogenic differentiation. BMSCs were identified by flow cytometry; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was used Activity detection kit to detect ALP activity; Alizarin red staining method to observe the formation of mineralized nodules; Western blotting method to detect Runx2, AMPKɑ, p-AMPKɑ, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K1, p-p70S6K1 protein expression. Results Zuogui pill and Yougui pill can significantly increase the ALP activity of BMSCs in ovariectomized rats after osteoinduction, promote the formation of mineralized nodules after BMSCs osteoinduction, and increase the expression of Runx2 protein. Compared with KB, the phosphorylation level of AMPKɑ protein in the OVX group increased, and the phosphorylation level of mTOR and p70S6K1 protein decreased; compared with OVX, the three medication groups resisted the above changes. Conclusion Both Zuogui pii and Yougui pill can promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The mechanism of action may be involved in the regulation of cell energy metabolism through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. |