Effects of "Gengnianchun Decoction" on Differentiation and Apoptosis and Activity of Bone Resorption of Osteoclasts

Objective To explore the effects of Gengnianchun Decoction(GNC) on differentiation,activity of bone resorption and apoptosis of osteoclasts.Methods The osteoclasts were isolated from newborn rats,and treated with different culture media.Different concentrations of Gengnianchun Decoction:high,moderate and low level groups(H group,M group and L group),nilestriol(E group),saline(N group) and sham(S group).The numbers of tartrate resistant-acid phosphatase-positive[TRAP(+)] multinucleated cells were counted by microscope.The surface area of bone resorption pits were measured by photomicrography and image analysis to evaluate the bone-resorbing activity of rat mature osteoclasts.The ratio of osteoclast in apoptosis was investigated through Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection combined with TRAP staining.Results The number of TRAP(+) osteoclasts was lower and the ratio of apoptosis osteoclasts was higher in H and E groups than those of N group(P 0.01),H,E and M groups significantly decreased the area of bone resorption pits,as compared with N group(P 0.01).The effect between H group and E group did not show significant differences.Conclusion The mechanism of GNC in preventing osteoporosis may be related with its inhibiting osteoclasts formation,differentiation,and activity of bone resorption,stimulating apoptosis of osteoclasts.