OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine Qianggu drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) on bone histomorphometry of lumbar vertebrae in ovariectomized rats and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSSixty female SD rats (weight 230 to 280 gram) were randomized into three groups: Qianggu drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) group (treatment group), Miacalcic group (control group) and blank group. The osteoporosis model was established successfully after all rats were ovariectomized for 10 weeks. The treatment group was used intragastric infusion with Qianggu drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) 0.001 ml/kg once a day. The control group was used hypodermic injection once a day with Miacalcic 0.72 U/kg. Five rats were killed respectively and the lumbar specimens were taken and cut for bone histomorphometric analysis at 45, 90, 135 and 180 days after the treatment.

RESULTSThe thickness of trabecular bone in treatment group had the statistical significance with control group at 135 days after ovariectomized rats were given the medicine. The data of BV/TV and the thickness and space of trabecular bone had statistical significance compared with control group and blank group 180 days later.

CONCLUSIONQianggu drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) could effectively improve the histomorphometry indexes. The mechanism probably plays by stimulating osteogenesis and inhibiting the cytoactive of osteoclast and the trend of bone transform.