Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge water extract on osteoporosis which induced by prednisone in rats. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, prednisone group and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group, with 10 rats per group. Rats in the control group were treated with dissolvant, the others were treated with prednisone firstly, and then, the rats in prednisone group were treated with dissolvant, the 3 groups were treated with high dose, middle dose or low dose water extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge respectively, once a day. After 8 weeks, the bone histomorphometric analysis of thighbone were performed in undecalcified sections, the content of Ca²⁺ and hydroxyproline (Hyp) were measured, the length and width of the thigh bonewere tested. RESULTS: The bone weight, bone Hyp and bone Ca²⁺ in prednisone group were lower than those in control group. The fat in the marrow, the cholesterin in plasma were increased but ALP and HDL were reduced (P<0.05). Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge water extract could increase the bone weight, reduce the fat in the marrow and increase the ALP and HDL (P<0.05), but the relationship between dose and efficacy was not significant. CONCLUSION: Prednisone can restrain bone growth and induce bone loss, while Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge water extract has good protective effect.

Key words: salvia miltiorrhiza bge, prednisone, osteoporosis, rat