[Effect of Herba Epimedii Flavone on expression of OPG and RANKL in rat osteoblasts].
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Herba Epimedii Flavone (HEF) on expression of OPG and RANKL in rat osteoblasts. METHODS: Osteoblasts were obtained from new born rat calvaria by digestive enzymes. The different HEF concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100 ng/ml)were added into the culture medium. Total mRNA was prepared from osteoblasts after 48 h and 96 h, and mRNA expression of OPG and RANKL were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of OPG in osteoblasts significantly increased compared with that of the control group, and the V(OPF)/V(RANKL) ratio was deceased markedly in the treatment of 10 ng/ml group after 48 h. After 96 h, the mRNA expression of OPG significantly increased and the V(OPG)/V(RANKL) ratio was also decreased in the treatment group compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION: HEF suppress the differentiation and maturate of osteoblast. Osteoporosis can be prevented and cured by HEF.