This study was conducted to investigate the preventing effects of OPB (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus Max extracts) and combined OPB/Calcium therapy on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats of 12-week-old were divided into eight groups: OVX (ovariectomized), OPBL (OPB 50 mg/kg), OPBM (OPB100 mg/kg), OPBH (OPB 200 mg/kg), OPBL/CAL(OPBL+CAL), OPBM/CAL (OPBM+CAL), OPBH/CAL (OPBH+CAL) and CAL (Calcium citrate 88.33 mg/kg+1, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D₃33.33 IU/kg). Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone strength indices and cortical thickness were analyzed by peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT). pQCT scanning showed that OVX induced a significant decrease in trabecular bone mineral density and bone mineral content in the proximal tibia (-36.4 ±24%, -21.8±12.7%).These decreases were significantly prevented by the administration of OPBM and OPBM/CAL. Cortical BMD and BMC of tibia were slightly enhanced by OPB and OPB/CAL. However there was no significant difference between OVX and OPB, OPB/CAL treated group. Bone strength indices and cortical thickness were not significantly different. Our results suggest that OPB and combined OPB/Calcium therapy are effective in preventing the development of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats.

• Hyeon-Hwan Hwang(Dept. of Safety and Toxicology, Research Institute, Oscotec. Inc.) Corresponding author
• Jung-Keun Kim(Dept. of Pharmacology and Mechanism, Research Institute, Oscotec Inc.)
• Se-Won Kim(Dept. of Pharmacology and Mechanism, Research Institute, Oscotec Inc.)
• Seon-Yle Ko(Dept. of Pharmacology and Mechanism, Research Institute, Oscotec Inc., Dept. of Oral Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Dankook University)
• Se-Nyun Kim(Dept. of Pharmacology and Mechanism, Research Institute, Oscotec Inc.)
• Jong-Seok Kwon(Dept. of Pharmacology and Mechanism, Research Institute, Oscotec Inc.)