Aim: To evaluate the effects of total coumarins from dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri (TCCM) on glucocorticoids (GC)-induced osteoporosis (OP) in rats.
Methods: Single photon absorptiometric and biomechanical character measurements of femurs were used.
Results: The bone density (BD) indices in proximal, middle, and distal segments in GC group were decreased by 12% (P < 0.05), 14% (P < 0.05), and 12% (P < 0.05), respectively vs control group. The BD on proximal, middle, and distal segments in GC-TCCM group were increased by 26% (P < 0.01), 34% (P < 0.01), and 31% (P < 0.01), respectively vs GC group. The biomechanical competence in femoral middle segments in GC group tended to decrease vs control group. In GC-TCCM group, the torsional strength, energy, maximal torsional angle, and rigidity were increased by 15% (P < 0.05), 32% (P < 0.05), 14% (P > 0.05), and 13% (P > 0.05), respectively vs the GC group.
Conclusion: TCCM not only prevented glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis but also increased the torsional strength of femurs in rats.