Objective

To evaluate the potential preventive effect of sophoricoside on bone loss in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

Female SD rats (n=50, 6 months old) were either sham-operated (SHAM group, n=10) or ovariectomized (n=40). Three days after operation, ovariectomized rats were randomly assigned to groups as follows: 10 received sophoricoside 4 mg·kg ^-1·d ^-1(SL group), 10 received sophoricoside 8 mg·kg ^-1·d ^-1 (SM group), 10 received sophoricoside 16 mg·kg ^-1·d ^-1 (SH group) and 10 were untreated (OVX group). After sophoricoside were given orally for one month, the histomorphometric parameters in the secondary spongiosa of proximal tibia and lumbar vertebrae were examined.

Results

Compared with OVX group, SM and SH two kinds of treatment caused 15.28% and 22.81% increment in percent trabecular area (BV/TV,%) in the secondary spongiosa of proximal tibia, 14.23% and 21.2% increment in lumbar vertebrae. Accordingly in these two groups, there was a significant decrease in trabecular separation (FLAW, μm), but increment in trabecular width (Tb.Th, μm) and conjunction points (JOINT). But in SL group, the preventive effect was not observed.

Conclusion

sophoricoside can be efficient in preventing ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

Key words: sophoricoside, osteoporosis, ovariectomized rats, bone histomorphometry