Exploration on the mechanism of the Zhuanggu Zhitong Prescription in preventing and treating osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats based on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
10.3760/cma.j.cn115398-20240923-00247
- VernacularTitle:基于Wnt/β-catenin信号通路探讨壮骨止痛方防治去势大鼠骨质疏松症的作用机制
- Author:
Jun YANG
1
;
Jie QU
;
Tong WU
Author Information
1. 陕西中医药大学基础医学院，西安 712046
- Keywords:
Osteoporosis, postmenopausal;
Zhuanggu Zhitong prescription;
Wnt signaling pathway;
Rats
- From:
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;47(7):946-951
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Zhuanggu Zhitong Prescription in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.Methods:SD female rats were randomly divided into six groups using the random number table method: blank group, model group, estradiol group, and Zhuanggu Zhitong Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent ovariectomy to induce a postmenopausal osteoporosis model over a 3-month period. After successful modeling, the Zhuanggu Zhitong Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups received intragastric administration of Zhuanggu Zhitong aqueous solution at dosages of 3.3 g/kg, 8.2 g/kg, and 13.2 g/kg, respectively. The estradiol group received intragastric administration of an estradiol solution at a dosage of 0.167 mg/kg. Both the blank group and the model group received intragastric administration of an equal volume of normal saline once daily for 12 weeks. The bone density of rat femur tissue was detected. Immunohistochemistry, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot were used to detect the protein or mRNA levels of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and short stature related transcription factor 2 (Runx2).Results:Compared with the model group, the bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae increased in the estradiol group and the Zhuanggu Zhitong Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups ( P<0.01). Additionally, the mean optical density, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and Runx2 in femur tissue also increased ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Zhuanggu Zhitong Prescription can improve bone mineral density in castrated osteoporosis rats, promote the increase and thickening of femoral bone trabeculae, promote bone formation, and prevent osteoporosis. The mechanism may be related to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to up-regulate the expressions of Wnt3a and Runx2, thus promoting bone differentiation.
