| Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of psoralea corylifolia L. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats before and after salt-processing, and to explore its processing mechanism. Methods OVX rat model received raw or salt-processed psoralea corylifolia L. by intragastric administration. After 12 weeks of continuous administration, the rats were weighed and taken the uterus. The serum contents of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), and estradiol (E2) were measured. The biomechanical strength and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured and the trabecular microstructure was observed. The drug-containing serum of raw and salt-processed psoralea corylifolia L. was prepared to detect its effect on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. The content of main effective components of water decoction and drug-contained serum was measured. Results Both raw and salt-processed psoralea corylifolia L.effectively inhibited the weight gain and uterine atrophy of ovariectomized rats, increased the contents of serum Ca and P, decreased the contents of ALP, OC and E2, significantly increased bone mineral density and bone biomechanical strength, and improved the integrity of bone trabecular structure. Raw and salt-processed psoralea corylifolia L. had obvious stimulating effects on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, and the effect of salt products is better than that of raw one. In addition, there were significant differences in the contents of active components between water decoction and serum after salt-processing. Conclusion Raw and salt-processed psoralea corylifolia L. have a good therapeutic effect on osteoporosis induced by OVX in rats. The salt products have better anti-osteoporosis effect. It is related to the process of salt-processing which may promote the decoction of glycosides, such as psoralenoside and isopsoralenoside. After salt-processing, the effective components may be absorbed more into blood, such as psoralen and isopsoralen. |