| Objectives To analyze the funding status of osteoporosis research projects by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) from 2012 to 2022, and to discuss the research status and direction of osteoporosis by TCM intervention. Methods The osteoporosis related research projects funded by NSFC from 2012 to 2022 were obtained using the National Natural Science Foundation of China, MedSci, the Scientific Research Z Library and MedPeer database. The project funds, Chinese (English) keywords, abstracts and project types were extracted and statistically analyzed. Results From 2012 to 2022, NSFC funded 1 290 osteoporosis-related projects (with a total amount of 573.2 million yuan), most of which were related to the pathological mechanism and prevention measures of osteoporotic fracture, postmenopausal osteoporosis, senile osteoporosis and diabetic osteoporosis. The subjects of these project are mostly bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, etc. The common treatment methods of TCM against osteoporosis include tonifying kidney and activating blood, tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, invigorating spleen and invigorating kidney, etc. The commonly used clinical TCM prescriptions and single herbs include Bushen Huoxuefang, Erxian Decoction, Erzhi Wan, Qinge Wan, etc., and Epimedium, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, etc. The action mechanism mainly focuses on Wnt/β-catenin, OPG/RANKL/RANK, autophagy, oxidative stress, intestinal flora, etc. Conclusions Exploration of the clinical and effective treatment methods and mechanisms of TCM against osteoporosis is helpful to deeply reveal the scientific connotation of TCM intervention in osteoporosis, which lays a foundation for the research and development of innovative Chinese medicine against osteoporosis. |