An Experimental Study on Protective Effects of Morroniside from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. on Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats

This study investigated the effects of morroniside on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model group, and low-, middle- and high-dose morroniside groups. In later 4 groups, the osteoporosis of rats was induced by ovariectomy. The low-, middle-, and high-dose morroniside groups were intragastrically administrated with morroniside, with dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. After treatment for 3 months, compared with model group, in high-dose morroniside group the femur bone mineral density, maximum load and stiffness, serum calcium, estradiol and superoxide dismutase levels and femur collagen type I (COL I) protein expression level were increased, and the serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde levels and femur cathepsin K (Cath K) protein expression level were decreased (all P < 0.05). Morroniside has protective effects osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, which may be related their resistance of oxidative stress and regulation of COL I and Cath K expressions.