Background: To investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BSHXD) and its underlying molecular mechanisms on inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vascular calcification via regulating the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL).
Methods: VSMCs from the aortas of rats were cultured . Osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs was induced by high levels of an inorganic phosphate medium (2.