Purpose: In these latter years, the therapy for osteoporosis (OP) is the most required for the quality of life. Therefore, it is suggested that study for finding a novel osteoporotic drug instead of bisphosphonates is a matter of great urgency. In the present study, we sought the candidates, which is effective on the therapy for OP in vitro , among more than 400 bio-active herbs products.

Methods: According to a series of screening, MC3T3 cells were grown in the differentiation medium with/without the several herbs products. As well, ATDC5 cells were grown and driven into the proliferating chondrocytes in the presence of several herbs products. These 2 strains were subjected to alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) assay, DNA measurement assay, sulfated glucosaminoglycan measurement assay, calcium measurement assay and osteocalcin ELISA assay, which are the differentiation markers of osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Thereby, further screening was carried out, for effects of proliferation and differentiation on osteoblast and chondrocytes.

Results: 3 herbs products were found, and all of those increased apoptosis on osteoclasts, whereas, had proliferating and differential effects on both osteoblasts and chondrocytes. In addition, the effective dosage of the herb products was from 1 to 1000 μg/ml.

Conclusions: In the present study, we found the several herbs products, which might be novel drugs for OP. At present, purifying of the molecules, which are comprised in the herb and are effective for the therapy of OP, and in vivo experiments are ongoing.

Conflict of interest: None declared.