Transcriptomics-based Exploration of the Mechanism of Kaempferol in the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats

Objective: We explore the pharmacodynamic targets of kaempferol in treating osteoporosis using transcriptomics and animal experiment. Methods: Firstly, we constructed an ovariectomized rat model (OVX). The anti-osteoporosis effect of kaempferol was evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) and hematoxylin-eosin staining comprehensively. Moreover, differential genes between groups were screened by RNA sequencing technology (RNA-seq) for transcriptomics and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways enrichment analysis were performed. Finally, partial results of transcriptomics were verified to detect the expression of the relevant gene expression by immunohistochemistry. Results: The pharmacodynamic findings indicated that the administration of kaempferol resulted in an elevation in BMD ( P < .01) and a notable enhancement in tibia microstructural indices in the experimental rats ( P < .01). The transcriptomic analysis revealed that NTN1, LTBP4, GSN, and EBF1 were identified as the principal targets for therapeutic intervention in osteoporosis. The results of animal experiments showed that kaempferol promoted osteogenesis and inhibited bone resorption by downregulating the protein expression of NTN1, LTBP4, GSN, and EBF1 ( P < .01). Conclusion: Kaempferol enhances BMD levels, retards tibial bone loss with structural deterioration in OVX model rats, and promotes bone formation while curbing bone resorption through NTN1, LTBP4, GSN, and EBF1 protein down-regulation.