Objective:To compare the therapeutic effects of Xianling Gubao (XLGB) extracts by microwave-assisted extraction(MAE) and traditional extraction(TE) on osteoporosis

and to provide data for the further generalization of MAE and clinical application of XLGB. Method: Healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: normal control group

osteoporosis model group

Fosamax group

middle-dose of XLGB by TE group(1.0 g·kg-1)

low-dose of XLGB by MAE group(0.33 g·kg-1)

middle-dose of XLGB by MAE group(1.0 g·kg-1)

high-dose of XLGB by MAE group(3.0 g·kg-1). In the morning all the rats except the normal control group were given retinoic acid (80 mg·kg-1)through intragastric administration for 2 weeks

at the same time in the afternoon all the rats except the normal control group and the osteoporosis model group were given corresponding drugs once per day for 4 weeks. After that

bone density (BMD) of tibial metaphysis

femoral metaphysis and lumbar were determined. Result: Compared with the normal control group

the BMD of tibial metaphysic (0.267 5±0.011 9) g·cm-2

femoral metaphysic (0.228 9±0.015 2) g·cm-2 and lumbar (0.247 1±0.012 6) g·cm-2 of the osteoporosis model group were obviously decreased (P<0.01); compared with the osteoporosis model group

the BMD of tibial metaphysis

femoral metaphysis and lumbar of all the administration group were obviously increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with middle-dose of XLGB by TE group(0.272 7±0.013 3) g·cm-2

the BMD of tibial metaphysis of middle-dose of XLGB by MAE group (0.283 3±0.020 0)g·cm-2 were obviously increased (P<0.05); only did the BMD of tibial metaphysic (0.290 1±0.014 3)g·cm-2

femoral metaphysic (0.251 5±0.006 7)g·cm-2and lumbar(0.261 7±0.007 9)g·cm-2 of the high-dose of XLGB by MAE group have no obvious differences with Fosamax group. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of XLGB by MAE on osteoporosis was exact and dose dependent. The effect of XLGB by MAE was better than that by TE. It is suggested that more attention should be paid to the therapeutic effect and safety of MAE.