| Objective To explore the mechanism of action of Guben Zenggu prescription on osteoporosis model rats based on the ERK/Smad signaling pathway, and to reveal its pharmacological effects on preventing and treating osteoporosis. Methods SPF grade Wistar rats were divided into high, medium, and low dose groups of Guben Zenggu prescription, estradiol group, sham operation group, and model group, with 10 rats each. Low, medium, and high doses of Guben Zenggu prescription were gavaged with 6.1g/(kg·d), 12.2g/(kg·d), and 24.4g/(kg·d). Sham operation group and model group were given equal volume normal saline irrigation. Blood was collected from the heart after the last intragastric administration, the serum BALP and TRACP-5b levels were detected by ELISA. Bone mineral density of the proximal femur of the rats was measured by DXA, and HE staining was performed. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of ERK-1, ERK-2, and Smad4, while Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of ERK, p-ERK, and Smad4. Results The intervention of Guben Zenggu prescription, compared with the model group, medium and high doses can increase bone density, significantly improve bone trabecular morphology, significantly increase serum BALP and BGP levels, ERK-1, ERK-2, and Smad4 mRNA, significantly increase the expression of ERK, p-ERK, and Smad4 proteins (P<0.05), and significantly decrease serum TRACP levels (P<0.05). Conclusion Guben Zenggu prescription can improve bone metabolism and increase bone density in postmenopausal osteoporosis model rats, which may be related to activating the ERK/Smad signaling pathway to promote osteogenic differentiation. |