| Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of isoorientin (Iso) on elderly rats with osteoporosis by regulating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway. Methods The constructed elderly rats with osteoporosis were randomly divided into model group, Iso low-dose (50 mg/kg) group, Iso high-dose (100 mg/kg) group, alendronate sodium (1.428 mg/kg) group, Iso high-dose+activator (100 mg/kg Iso+5 mg/kg phorbol ester) group, and the rats with exposed uteri and only the fat around the ovaries removed were taken as the sham operation group. After treatment, the bone mineral density values, trabecular bone separation degree (Tb.SP), trabecular bone thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular bone quantity (Tb.n) were detected. Serum was isolated and the levels of Bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), carboxyl-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), osteocalcin (OCN), interleukin (IL) -6, IL-1β and osteoclast-specific enzyme (TRACP 5b) and type I collagen degradation products (CTX-I) were detected. The femoral tissues were isolated to detect the pathological changes and the phosphorylated expressions of NF-κBp65 and p38. Results The bone mineral density, BAP, OCN, Tb.SP, Tb.Th and Tb.n in the model group were lower than those in the sham operation group, while the expressions of PICP, IL-6, IL-1β, TRACP 5b, CTX-I, p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65, p-p38/p38 and p-ERK/ERK increased (P<0.05). Bone mineral density, BAP, OCN, Tb.SP, Tb.Th and Tb.n in different dose Iso groups and alendronate sodium groups increased compared with the model group, while the expressions of PICP, IL-6, IL-1β, TRACP 5b, CTX-I, p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65, p-p38/p38 and p-ERK/ERK decreased. There were statistically significant differences in Iso doses (P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose Iso group, the pathological damage in the Iso high-dose+activator group was aggravated, the bone density, BAP, OCN, Tb.SP, Tb.Th and Tb.n were obviously decreased, the expression levels of PICP, IL-6, IL-1β, TRACP 5b, CTX-I, p-NF Bp65/NF Bp65, p-p38/p38, and p-ERK/ERK were obviously increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Iso reduces pathological damage and exerts anti osteoporosis effects in elderly rats with osteoporosis by regulating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway. |