The serum of rats administered flavonoid extract from Epimedium sagittatum but not the extract itself enhances the development of rat calvarial osteoblast-like cells in vitro.

Abstract	The flavonoid extract from Epimedium sagittatum (FES) has been found by us to be effective in preventing osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in rats. In the present study, the effect of FES on the development of rat calvarial osteoblast-like (ROB) cells was investigated. No appreciable effect was observed when ROB cells were exposed to FES in vitro. However, serum isolated from rats administered FES orally was able to significantly stimulate the proliferation as well as the osteoblastic differentiation of ROB cells compared to serum from control rats. The results indicate that the serum of rats administered FES contains active metabolites ofFES that enhance the development of osteoblasts, while the original form of FES itself is inactive.
Authors	K M Chen, B F Ge, H P Ma, R L Zheng
Journal	Die Pharmazie (Pharmazie) Vol. 59 Issue 1 Pg. 61-4 (Jan 2004) ISSN: 0031-7144 [Print] Germany
PMID	14964424 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References	Flavonoids Plant Extracts Osteocalcin Alkaline Phosphatase Calcium
Topics	Alkaline Phosphatase (metabolism) Animals Animals, Newborn Calcification, Physiologic (drug effects) Calcium (metabolism) Cell Differentiation (drug effects) Cell Division (drug effects) Cells, Cultured Epimedium (chemistry) Flavonoids (chemistry, pharmacology) Osteoblasts (drug effects) Osteocalcin (metabolism) Osteoporosis (pathology) Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology) Rats Rats, Wistar Skull (cytology, drug effects, growth & development)

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