| Objective To study the effects of total flavonoids of epimedium and estradiol valerate on TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in osteoporotic rats. Methods Seventy-five female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), model group (Model group), epimedium total flavonoids group (TFE group), estradiol valerate group (E2V group), and epimedium total flavonoids combined with estradiol valerate group (TFE+E2V group), Osteoporotic rat model was created with bilateral ovariectomy, Corresponding drug intervention was performed for 12 weeks after 12-week of operation. Serum bone metabolism indexes, BMD and bone ash weight ratio, bone biomechanical parameters, femoral morphometric parameters, femoral TGF-β1/Smads protein and mRNA expression were detected. Results Serum Ca, P, OC, PINP, BMD of the femur and vertebra, ash-to-weight ratio, femur maximum load, maximum displacement, maximum stress, elastic modulus, Tb.Ar, Tb.Th, and Tb.N of the femur, and the protein and mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smads2 in Model group were significantly lower than those in the Sham group (P<0.01). The above indicators in the E2V group, TFE group, and TFE+E2V group were significantly higher than those in the Model group (P<0.05), and the above indicators in the TFE+E2V group were significantly higher than those in the E2V and TFE groups (P<0.05). Serum ALP, femoral Tb.Sp and Oc.N in the Model group were significantly higher than those in the Sham group (P<0.01). The above indicators in the E2V group, TFE group, and TFE+E2V group were significantly lower than thsoe in the Model group (P<0.05). The above indicators in the TFE+E2V group were significantly lower than those in the E2V and TFE groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Epimedium total flavonoids combined with estradiol valerate up-regulates the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 to regulate bone metabolism, increases bone mass, and improves BMD and strength in osteoporotic rats, thereby playing an anti-osteoporotic effect. |