Objective: To observe the effect of Bushen Guben decoction (BGD) on bone mineral density (BMD)

bone mineral content and serum calcitonin (CT) level in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. Method: One hundred and five female Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group

the model group

the Xianlin Gubao group(500 mg · kg-1)

the estradiol valerate group (90 μg · kg-1)and high-

medium-

low-dose BGD groups (16

8

4 g · kg-1). The rats except the control group were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy and killed after 3-month treatment. BMD and bone mineral content in the femur and lumbar vertebra

their biomechanical properties were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement instrument and X-ray. The serum CT level was detected by ELISA method. Result: Compared with the normal group

the BMD and bone mineral content decreased significantly (P<0.05)

elasticity modulus

maximum loads and yield strength of femur and lumbar vertebra reduced (P<0.05)

serum CT level declined (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group

the BMD and bone mineral content increased in all treatment groups (P<0.05

P<0.01)

the biomechanical properties had good improvement in Xiaoling Gubao group and high-

medium-dose BGD groups (P<0.05

P<0.01)

serum CT level raised in high-

medium-

low-dose BGD groups (P<0.05

P<0.01). High-dose BGD had better results in the elasticity modulus of lumbar vertebra and CT level than other groups. Conclusion: BGD had good improvement on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by affecting BMD and bone mineral content

CT level and biomechanical properties.