[Effect of tanshitone on prevention and treatment of retinoic acid induced osteoporosis in mice].

Objective: To observe the prevention and therapeutic effects of tanshitone (TAN) on retinoic acid induced osteoporosis in mice.

Method: The mice osteoporosis was induced by given retinoic acid intragastrically for two weeks. The histomorphological features of bone were observed and biochemical indexes in serum (Ca, P, ALP, TRAP, E2, BGP) were determined after the mice were given TAN at the dose of 40, 80, 160 mg x kg(-1) respectly.

Result: Tanshinone can induce high conversion of osteoporosis. The levels of P, ALP, TRAP and BGP in the TAN groups were lower than the model group, while the E2 level was higher than the model group.

Conclusion: Tanshitone can prevent the loss bone in the experimental mice. The mechanism may be that it improves the level of estrogenic hormone and inhibits the high bone turnover.