Objective To investigate the mechanism of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a bioactive compound extracted from the skin of Eucommia ulmoides, in regulating osteoporosis through intestinal flora. Methods 24 8-week-old female SD mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. 18 of them were randomly divided into OVX group, 5-HMF group and estradiol valerate group (Positive group) after bilateral ovariectomized osteoporosis model was established. Sham group was established in 6 mice. After 12 weeks of continuous intragastric administration of the above mice, the femur and fresh feces of the mice were collected. The changes of femoral bone mass in mice were analyzed by Micro-CT. Serum levels of P1NP, E2, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 were analyzed by ELISA. 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was used to detect the changes of intestinal flora in mice faecal species. Results Compared with Sham group, bone mineral density of femur in OVX group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), serum P1NP and E2 levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001), serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 levels were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and intestinal flora diversity was significantly increased (P < 0.01). The bacterial community structure also changed significantly. Compared with OVX group, bone mineral density of femur in 5-HMF group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), serum levels of P1NP and E2 were significantly increased (P < 0.01), serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the relative abundance of Bacteroidota flora at the door level was increased. The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Desulfobacterota has decreased significantly, and the relative abundance of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota has decreased significantly (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae and Alloprevotella increased, while the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group decreased. Conclusion 5-HMF can significantly improve the levels of bone mineral density, serum bone turnover markers and related inflammatory factors in ovariectomized osteoporosis mice, which may be related to its regulation of intestinal flora structure. |