Antiosteoporotic effect of ethanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on ovariectomized rat

Ethanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis was evaluated for its anti-osteoporotic activity in ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis at two different dose levels of 500 and 750 mg/kg per day. Healthy female albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each. First group was sham operated and served as control. All the remaining groups were ovariectomized. Group 2 was fed with equivolume of saline and served as ovariectomized control. Groups 3-5 were orally treated with Raloxifen (5.4 mg/kg) and ethanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis (500 and 750 mg/kg), respectively. The findings assessed on the basis of biomechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters showed that the ethanol extract of the plant had a definite antiosteoporotic effect.     

黑玛咖不同提取物的抗疲劳作用与谱效关系研究

目的研究黑玛咖不同提取物的抗疲劳作用及其超高效液相色谱(UPLC)图谱与抗疲劳作用的谱效关系,为明确黑玛咖的抗疲劳作用的物质基础提供依据。方法通过小鼠力竭游泳实验、检测肝糖原和血清乳酸水平,比较黑玛咖8种提取物的抗疲劳作用;采用UPLC-Q-TOF/MS法建立黑玛咖8种提取物的指纹图谱;以小鼠力竭游泳实验为抗疲劳作用的药效学指标,采用偏最小二乘法回归(PLSR)分析建立其谱效关系。结果黑玛咖60%、80%、95%乙醇提取物(醇提物)均明显增加小鼠力竭游泳时间,且以95%醇提物增加作用更为显著;黑玛咖80%醇提物能显著增加因过度运动所致的降低的肝糖原水平;黑玛咖95%醇提物能明显减少小鼠负重游泳后产生的血清乳酸堆积。从黑玛咖不同提取物UPLC指纹图谱中提取出23个能够表征含量差异的特征峰。采用PLSR分析,以力竭游泳时间为药效指标时,发现黑玛咖提取物中N-苄基十六酰胺、N-苄基-5-氧代-6E,8E-十八碳二烯酰胺、1,3-二苄基-2-苯基-4,5-二甲基咪唑和N-十八烷酰胺与抗疲劳作用呈正相关,且VIP值大于1。结论黑玛咖95%及80%醇提物具有显著的抗疲劳作用;明确N-苄基十六酰胺、N-苄基-5-氧代-6E,8E-十八碳二烯酰胺、1,3-二苄基-2-苯基-4,5-二甲基咪唑和N-十八烷酰胺是黑玛咖抗疲劳作用的主要有效成分。为深入研究黑玛咖抗疲劳药效物质基础及建立全面可靠的质量控制方法提供思路。     

玛咖醇提取物对小鼠的抗衰老作用

目的探讨玛咖醇提取物的抗衰老作用及其机制。方法采用自然衰老小鼠为模型,连续ig给予玛咖醇提取物60 d后,测定小鼠血清、肝脏、心脏组织中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(G SH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(M DA)的水平以及皮肤羟脯氨酸水平,免疫功能实验采用PHA刺激淋巴细胞转化及免疫器官指数的方法。结果玛咖醇提取物能显著提高老龄小鼠心脏和肝脏中G SH-Px活性及血清和肝脏中SOD活性,降低血清及肝脏中M DA水平,增加皮肤羟脯氨酸水平,提高PHA刺激的淋巴细胞转化率。结论玛咖醇提取物可能通过改善自由基代谢、增强细胞免疫发挥其抗衰老作用。     

Dose-response effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) aqueous extract on testicular function and weight of different organs in adult rats

Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae) known as Maca grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m over the sea level in the Peruvian central Andes. The dried hypocotyls of Maca are traditionally used as food and for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. A dose-response study was performed to determine the effect of 7 days oral administration of an aqueous lyophilized extract of Maca at 0.01-5 g/kg (corresponding to 0.022-11 g dry hypocotyls of Maca/kg) on body and different organ weights, stages of the seminiferous tubules, epididymal sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone and estradiol levels in rats. In doses up to 5 g extract/kg, no toxicity was observed. Almost all organ weights were similar in controls and in the Maca extract-treated groups. Seminal vesicles weight was significantly reduced at 0.01 and 0.10 g extract/kg. Maca increased in length of stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous tubules in a dose-response fashion, with highest response at 1.0 g/kg, while caput/corpus epididymal sperm count increased at the 1.0 g dose. Cauda epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, and serum estradiol level were not affected at any of the doses studied. Serum testosterone was lower at 0.10 g extract/kg. Low-seminal vesicle weights correlated with low-serum testosterone levels (R2=0.33; P<0.0001) and low-testosterone/estradiol ratio (R2=0.35; P<0.0001). Increase in epididymal sperm count was related to lengths of stages VII-VIII. Highest effect on stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous tubules was observed at 1.0 g Maca aqueous extract/kg. The present study demonstrated that Maca extract in doses up to 5 g/kg (equivalent to the intake of 770 g hypocotyls in a man of 70 kg) was safe and that higher effect on reproductive parameters was elicited with a dose of 1 g extract/kg corresponding to 2.2 g dry Maca hypocotyls/kg.     

A hot water extract of Chlorella pyrenoidosa reduces body weight and serum lipids in ovariectomized rats

The effects of a hot water extract of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, which contains chlorella growth factor (CGF), on the body weight, serum lipids, and the bone mass were evaluated using an ovariectomized rat as a model for postmenopausal bone loss. Rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated (Sham), Sham given the CGF solution, ovariectomized (OVX), and OVX given the CGF solution, respectively. Administration of the extract to OVX rats suppressed the body weight gain. After 7 weeks, the administration of the extract to the OVX group reduced increases in both serum total cholesterols and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols. It also normalized the decrease of triglyceride level in the OVX group. The ovariectomy decreased the tibial bone mineral density (BMD) by 19%, and the administration of the extract to OVX rats did not inhibit this decrease. These results suggest that a dietary supplement of CGF may be useful to control the body weight and improve lipid metabolism of menopausal women.     

杜仲对去势大鼠骨细胞及骨髓间充质干细胞BMP-2表达的调节作用来

目的：观察中药杜仲在干预去势大鼠骨质疏松过程中对骨细胞BMP-2表达的调节作用,以及杜仲水提取物和醇提取物对大鼠骨髓间充质细胞（mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）BMP-2表达的影响。方法：80只4月龄雌性SD大鼠随机分成4组,假手术组、模型组、阿尔法骨化醇（法能）组和杜仲实验组。除假手术组打开腹腔,暴露卵巢后即缝合外,其他3组均摘除双侧卵巢。大鼠手术10天后,阿尔法骨化醇组和杜仲实验组分别用阿法骨化醇软胶囊和盐杜仲灌胃,另外2组正常饲养。3个月后,解剖取股骨,4％多聚甲醛固定,三天后浸入4％EDTA溶液中脱钙,4周后进行冰冻切片,免疫组化测定BMP-2表达。取盐杜仲粉末2g,分别加水／甲醇至15ml,室温震荡1小时,静置过夜后,经15000rpm离心10min,弃沉淀。水浸上清不经处理即得水提取物;甲醇浸上清经真空浓缩,再加水至15ml溶解剩余物后,得醇提取物。水／醇提取物均经0．22pm膜过滤,-20℃保存。取2月龄SD大鼠骨髓细胞,置含20％小牛血清的DMEM／F12培养基中,37℃,5％CO2培养,传代3次后进行杜仲水／醇提取物诱导,诱导物分为10^-2、10^-3、10^-4、和10^-5 4个稀释度并分为4个重复组。诱导6天后,免疫组化测定BMP-2表达。结果：杜仲实验组大鼠骨切片中的BMP-2的表达量明显高于模型组,杜仲水／醇提取物对大鼠MSCs的BMP-2表达具有显著刺激作用,醇提取物的作用大于水提取物,并且10^-5稀释度的作用大于其他稀释度。结论：在体和离体实验均证实杜仲有干预去势大鼠骨质疏松的作用与调节BMP-2表达相关。     

玛咖对虚寒及虚热证大鼠环核苷酸水平及神经-内分泌-免疫网络的影响

研究玛咖对虚寒及虚热证大鼠环核苷酸、神经递质水平、下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴及免疫功能的影响,探讨玛咖的寒热药性。SD大鼠分为空白组、虚寒模型组、虚寒肉桂组(30 g·kg-1)、虚寒玛咖高剂量组(2.4 g·kg-1)、虚寒玛咖低剂量组(1.2 g·kg-1)、虚热模型组、虚热黄柏组(5 g·kg-1)、虚热玛咖高剂量组(2.4 g·kg-1)、虚热玛咖低剂量组(1.2 g·kg-1);采用每日肌肉注射氢化可的松琥珀酸钠、地塞米松磷酸钠注射液1次,连续21 d的方法制备虚寒、虚热证动物模型;通过放免法检测环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)、环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)、多巴胺(DA)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)、促肾上腺激素释放激素(ACTH)、皮质酮(CORT)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、补体3(C3)、补体4(C4)含量变化。玛咖高剂量组和玛咖低剂量组均能使虚寒证大鼠整体状态及体质量得到明显改善(P<0.01,P<0.05),使cAMP,cAMP/cGMP,NE,DA,ACTH均明显升高(P<0.01,P<0.001),而5-HT明显降低(P<0.01,P<0.001);虚热玛咖高剂量组、低剂量组的体质量,cAMP,cAMP/cGMP,NE,DA,5-HT,ACTH无统计学意义;玛咖对虚寒、虚热证大鼠的CORT,IgM,IgG,C3含量均有显著调节作用(P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.001)。玛咖对大鼠体质量、环核苷酸、神经递质水平及HPA轴的调整与肉桂一致,与黄柏相反;对机体免疫功能有双向调节作用;用药理学实验方法通过同类比较、异类反证,从对环核苷酸水平和神经-内分泌-免疫网络的影响证实玛咖药性微温。     

Role of oil extract of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) on intestinal transference of calcium and its possible correlation with preservation of skeletal health in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of an oil extract of garlic on the in vivo intestinal transference of calcium, and also to verify its role in maintaining the bone mineral content and bone tensile strength in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. The results suggest that, in this experimental model, oil extract of garlic promotes intestinal transference of calcium by modulating the activities of both intestinal alkaline phosphatase and Ca(2+) activated ATPase. Also the observed low bone mineral content and low bone tensile strength in these rats were significantly restored by garlic oil supplementation. Further, garlic oil supplementation was able to revive partially the bilateral ovariectomy-induced decrease in the serum estrogen titer. The serum parathyroid hormone level, however, was found unaltered in these rats. The garlic oil supplemented partial recovery in serum estrogen titer in bilaterally ovariectomized rat was found to be persistently associated with enhanced calcium transference and better preservation of bone mineral content. The results of this study propose that the phytoestrogenic efficacy of an oil extract of garlic prevents ovarian hormone deficiency induced bone mineral loss possibly by promoting intestinal transference of calcium through the partial revival of the serum estrogen titer.     

大豆提取物对去卵巢大鼠能量平衡的作用

目的 :确定大豆提取物及其有效成分对去卵巢大鼠能量代谢的药理作用。方法 :Wistar大鼠 90只 ,随机分成正常组、假手术组、模型组、雌激素组、高剂量大豆黄酮组、低剂量大豆黄酮组、高剂量大豆提取物组、低剂量大豆提取物组、大豆多糖组 ,每组10只。除假手术组与正常组外 ,其余各组均切除双侧卵巢。术后 1周开始每周测量 1次体重、日进食量。6周后处死动物 ,计算饲料转化率 ,测量身长 ,计算体重系数 ,分离腹部脂肪并称重。结果 :切除卵巢后动物进食量、体重与体重系数增加、饲料转化率加大 ,腹部脂肪堆积。雌激素组 ,大豆提取物组及大豆黄酮组均不同程度减弱去卵巢引起的能量代谢改变 ,但大豆多糖无作用。结论 :去卵巢大鼠可作为更年期妇女肥胖的动物模型 ,大豆提取物有减弱去卵巢引起的病理改变 ,其有效成分为黄酮类化合物。     

中药增骨丸对去卵巢致骨质疏松大鼠腰椎骨量及生物力学的影响

目的：探讨中药增骨丸对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松模型松质骨骨量及生物力学性能的影响。方法：将32只8月龄Wistar雌性大鼠随机分为正常对照组，模型组，乙烯雌酚组及中药组，每组8只，正常组仅切除一段肠系膜，其余3组做卵巢切除术，术后一周开始给药，连续用药90天后处死，取出第3腰椎（L3），测量分析其材料力学参数和结构力学参数，结果：中药组能明显提高去势大鼠腰椎骨的骨量和生物力学参数，提高其抗压生物力学性能，结论：中药增骨丸对绝经后骨质疏松有较好的防治作用。     

健骨冲剂对去卵巢大鼠骨组织形态计量学的影响

目的：评估健骨冲剂短期预防性应用对绝经后骨质疏松症的作用,并试图揭示其机理。方法60只SD大鼠通过卵巢摘除术随机分为正常对照组（SHAM）、模型组、健骨冲剂高、中、低剂量组和仙灵骨葆组,治疗1月后作骨组织形态计量学观测。结果：健骨冲剂组BV/TV、Tb、Th、骨小梁间距、节点数显著高于造模组,游离未端数显著少于后者;骨计量学指标低、高剂量组与仙灵骨葆无差别,中剂量组优于后者。结论：健骨冲剂短期预防应用能够改善骨质疏松症模型大鼠的骨计量学指标：增加最终形成成骨量,改善骨小梁结构,提高骨形成速率的同时降低骨吸收速率。     

分步醇沉对玛咖多糖单糖组成及抗氧化活性的影响

目的:分析分步醇沉所得玛咖多糖的单糖组成,并对各部分玛咖多糖的抗氧化能力进行研究。方法:采用水提醇沉法得到玛咖粗多糖,通过分步醇沉对玛咖粗多糖进行分离、纯化;采用气相色谱分析法对各玛咖多糖的单糖组成进行分析;最后采用三氯乙酸法和清除DPPH自由基的方法考察各部分玛咖多糖的抗氧化能力。结果:分步醇沉随乙醇浓度增加依次得到0~40%乙醇多糖部分,40%~50%乙醇多糖部分,50%~60%乙醇多糖部分,60%~70%乙醇多糖部分及70%~80%乙醇多糖部分,依次命名为MP1,MP2,MP3,MP4和MP5;其中收率最大的为MP1,纯度最高的为MP4,分别为0.856%和68.5%;经气相色谱技术分析发现不同体积分数乙醇所得玛咖多糖的单糖组成种类及比例不同;抗氧化能力试验结果表明各部分玛咖多糖的抗氧化能力存在显著性差异,其中抗氧化能力最强的为MP5,MP4抗氧化能力次之,抗氧化能力最弱的为MP1。结论:分步醇沉所得各部分玛咖多糖的抗氧化能力有较大差异,玛咖多糖的抗氧化活性与其单糖组成的种类、比例及其空间构象密切相关,分步醇沉对分离纯化玛咖多糖具有重要意义,为玛咖多糖进一步分离纯化、结构组成和药理研究提供可靠的参考依据。     

大豆提取物对去卵巢大鼠脂代谢的作用

目的 :确定大豆提取物及其有效成分对去卵巢大鼠脂代谢的作用。方法 :Wistar大鼠90只 ,随机分成正常组、假手术组、模型组、雌激素组、高剂量大豆黄酮组、低剂量大豆黄酮组、高剂量大豆提取物组、低剂量大豆提取物组、大豆多糖组 ,每组10只。除假手术组与正常组外 ,其余各组均切除双侧卵巢。术后 1周开始喂养。 6周后处死动物 ,测定血清总胆固醇 (sTC)、血清甘油三酯 (sTG)、血低密度脂蛋白 (LDL)、肝组织中甘油三酯 (hTG)和胆固醇 (hTC)含量 ,取适量肝组织作病理学观察。结果 :切除卵巢后动物sTC ,LDL ,hTG ,hTC均有显著性增加 ,肝脏切片观察显示肝细胞中出现明显的脂滴。雌激素组与大豆提取物、黄酮组均表现不同程度降低去势大鼠sTC ,LDL ,hTG和hTC含量 ,但大豆多糖无作用 ,黄酮成分药理作用最强与雌激素相当。雌激素组肝脏切片有明显空泡样变性。结论 :大豆提取物有减弱去卵巢引起的病理改变 ,其有效成分为黄酮类化合物 ;雌激素虽有较强的替代卵巢作用 ,但亦表现出一定的毒副作用。     

温阳补肾方对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松的影响

目的:研究温阳补肾方对去卵巢大鼠体内血清雌激素、骨密度及骨矿含量的影响。方法:取3月龄SPF级健康雌性SD大鼠40只,随机分为正常组、模型组、治疗组和阳性对照组,每组10只。正常组行假手术,其余3组行双侧卵巢摘除术,术后30天开始治疗给药,给药12周后测定各组大鼠血清雌二醇,并以双能X线骨密度测定仪测定骨密度及骨矿含量。结果:温阳补肾方能够明显增加去卵巢骨质疏松大鼠血清雌二醇及骨密度、骨矿含量。结论:温阳补肾方可提高雌激素水平,增加骨密度、骨矿含量,对绝经后骨质疏松症有防治作用。     

一种新型人甲状旁腺素相关肽对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松的治疗作用

 目的 观察一种新型人甲状旁腺素相关肽（ 8L -hPTH ）对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松的治疗作用。 方法 88 只 3 月龄 SD 健康雌性大鼠其中 64 只行双侧卵巢摘除术 16 只做假手术。 3 个月后各取 8 只测定腰椎及股骨骨密度。将余下的 56 只卵巢摘除大鼠随机分为 7 组每组 8 只,分别为 8L -hPTH 高、中、低剂量治疗组 ( 剂量分别为 20 , 10 , 5 μg·kg^-1·d^-1) ; hPTH(1-34) 高、中、低剂量对照组 ( 剂量分别为 20 , 10 , 5 μg·kg^-1·d^-1) ;生理盐水组（ 0.5 mL·d^-1 ）,各组均为皮下注射。假手术组余下的 8 只以及剩余 8 只未做任何手术的大鼠,给药方式及剂量均同生 理盐水组。连续给药 3 个月后,比较各组大鼠股骨、腰椎骨密度并用扫描电镜观察股骨情况。 结果 双侧卵巢摘除 3 个月后,大鼠腰椎及股骨骨密度均明显低于假手术组 ( P<0.01) ,说明造模成功。给药 3 月后, 8L -hPTH 各治疗组大鼠与生理盐水组相比较,股骨、腰椎骨密度均显著升高 ( P<0.05) ,骨小梁宽度有极显著增加 ( P<0.001) ,效果呈剂量依赖性。 结论 皮下注射 8L -hPTH(5~20 μg·kg^-1·d^-1) 对去卵巢骨质疏松大鼠有明显的治疗作用。     

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) enhances the serum levels of luteinising hormone in female rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility benefits. This study investigated the effect of Maca on the serum pituitary hormone levels during the pro-oestrus phase.

Materials and methods

Maca powder was made from the tubers of Lepidium meyenii Walp collected, dried, and reduced to powder at the plantation in Junín Plateau and was purchased from Yamano del Perú SAC. The Maca powder was identified by chemical profiling and taxonomic methods. Two groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were provided feed with normal feed containing 5%, 25%, or 50% Maca powder ad libitum for 7 weeks. At 1800 h of the proestrus stage, the rats were euthanised, and blood samples were collected for serum isolation. The serum pituitary hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results

No significant differences in feed intake or growth rate were observed among the rats. During the pro-oestrus stage, a 4.5-fold increase (P<0.01) in luteinising hormone (LH) and a 19-fold increase (P<0.01) in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were observed in the sera of rats fed with 50% Maca powder compared with the control rats. No significant differences were observed in the levels of the other pituitary hormones, including growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A dose-dependent increase of LH serum levels was observed within the range of 3–30 g Maca/kg. Furthermore, the enhancement of the LH serum levels was specific to the pro-oestrus LH surge.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that Maca uniquely enhances the LH serum levels of pituitary hormones in female rats during the pro-oestrus LH surge and acts in a pharmacological, dose-dependent manner. These findings support the traditional use of Maca to enhance fertility and suggest a potential molecular mechanism responsible for its effects.     

电针加雌激素对去势大鼠骨量和胰岛素样生长因子的影响

目的 探讨电针加雌激素对去卵巢大鼠骨量和胰岛素样生长因子的影响。方法 将雌性Wistar大鼠摘除双侧卵巢，分为正常组、模型组、假手术组、雌激素组、电针组、电针加雌激素组，造模成功后，治疗3个疗程后，检测大鼠骨密度和肝组织中IGF-1的变化。结果 去卵巢后大鼠BMD和BMC的含量明显降低，模型组肝组织中IGF-1显著减少，经过治疗后三个治疗组的肝组织中IGF-1的含量均有增加。结论 电针加雌激素组对去卵巢大鼠胰岛素样生长因子和骨量的影响最为明显。     

Ipriflavone modulates IGF-I but is unable to restore bone in rats

Previously it has been reported that ipriflavone can prevent bone loss in ovarian hormone deficient rats. The present study evaluated whether ipriflavone was able to restore bone mass in osteopenic ovariectomized rats. Seventy-two, 90 day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups (sham two groups; ovariectomized four groups). Thirty-five days from the date of surgery, one sham and one ovx group were killed to verify the occurrence of bone loss. The remaining four groups were sham, ovx, ovx + ipriflavone (100 mg[sol ]kg body weight per day), or ovx + 17beta-estradiol (10 microg[sol ]kg body weight daily) for a period of 65 days. Ipriflavone was ineffective in restoring bone density and unlike estrogen did not prevent bone resorption as evidenced by increased (p < 0.05) urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity. Ipriflavone increased (p < 0.05) the expression of IGF-I in the femur. These observations suggest that higher doses of ipriflavone or longer-term studies may be necessary to restore bone mass.     

仙灵强骨口服液对去势老龄大鼠骨质疏松症的预防作用

目的以去卵巢老龄大鼠为实验对象,观察仙灵强骨口服液对绝经后骨质疏松症的影响。方法50只7月龄SD大鼠去除卵巢后,随机分为5组:模型组、尼尔雌醇组、仙灵强骨口服液高剂量组、仙灵强骨口服液中剂量组、仙灵强骨口服液低剂量组,同时设假手术组。手术结束后第3天开始给药,连续90d。所有大鼠给药80、87d时两次ip四环素20mg/kg进行骨荧光标记;给药末日股动脉放血,收集血液,分离出血清,测定ALP及StrACP;取出大鼠股骨及第四腰椎骨进行骨密度、骨形态计量学、骨生物力学测定。结果仙灵强骨口服液能显著降低血清StrACP水平,提高椎骨刚性,增加股骨,破坏载荷及刚度,增高骨小梁体积,降低单标表面、双标表面、类骨表面、类骨质宽、成骨表面、吸收表面、矿化率及矿化时间。结论仙灵强骨口服液对绝经后骨质疏松症模型大鼠有预防作用。     

Psoralea corylifolia extract ameliorates experimental osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

We evaluated the protective effect of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PCL) extract on the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. The biochemical markers of bone turnover, calcium metabolism, and calcium balance were examined. PCL extract (25 mg or 50 mg/kg body weight/day) was orally administrated to OVX rats for 3 months. PCL extract did not alter weight gain or uterus weight in OVX rats. PCL extract significantly increased serum Ca (calcium) levels (p < 0.05, vs. OVX group) as well as decreased urinary Ca excretion (p < 0.05 vs. OVX group) in OVX rats. The upregulation of serum osteocalcin level by ovariectomy was suppressed by treatment with PCL extract in rats (p < 0.05, vs. OVX group). PCL extract increased bone mineral density at 50 mg/kg body weight/day in OVX rats (p < 0.05, vs. OVX group). Our results indicate that orally administrated PCL extract can decrease urinary calcium excretion and decrease serum osteocalcin in OVX rats, resulting in positive effects on bone mineral density as well as bone formation. In conclusion, our studies showed that PCL might be a potential candidate for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.