Effect of total coumarins from dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rats

Twenty-four 3-month-old male SD rats were divided into 3 groups: Group 1--control (ig water). Group 2--ig prednisone 45 micrograms.kg-1 twice a week. Group 3--treated with total coumarins of dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri (L) Cuss (TCCM) and prednisone. TCCM was given ig 5 g.kg-1, 6 days per week. After 90 d, rats were killed. The proximal tibiae of rats were processed undecalcified for histomorphometric analysis. In comparison with control rats, the bone resorption was enhanced and bone formation decreased. The trabecular bone areas were characterized by reduction of 40% in rats which received prednisone. Trabecular bone areas of rats treated with TCCM increased 56% compared with rats receiving prednisone. All indices of bone histomorphometry were near to those in the control. The results showed that TCCM prevented glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.