Conclusions
SchB exerted anti-osteoporotic activity in OVX-operated rats by accelerating the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, subsequently upregulating the expression of β-catenin.
Material and methods
OVX rats were orally treated with low (10 mg/kg) or high (50 mg/kg) doses of SchB for 8 weeks. Bone metabolism-related markers were measured by ELISA. The levels of protein expression were determined by western blotting analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and safranin O staining were performed to analyze trabecular bone and cartilage degeneration. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to evaluate osteoclast differentiation.
Methods
OVX rats were orally treated with low (10 mg/kg) or high (50 mg/kg) doses of SchB for 8 weeks. Bone metabolism-related markers were measured by ELISA. The levels of protein expression were determined by western blotting analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and safranin O staining were performed to analyze trabecular bone and cartilage degeneration. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to evaluate osteoclast differentiation.
Results
SchB administration markedly increased serum Ca levels and bone Ca content and decreased urinary calcium excretion in OVX-operated rats. In addition, high-dosage SchB treatment blocked osteoclastogenesis and improved trabecular bone and cartilage degeneration in the tibia of OVX-operated rats. Furthermore, high-dosage SchB treatment dramatically elevated the protein expression of phospho-PI3K, phospho-Akt and β-catenin in OVX-operated rats. Conclusions: SchB exerted anti-osteoporotic activity in OVX-operated rats by accelerating the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, subsequently upregulating the expression of β-catenin.