Effects of serum of aged male rat treated with epimedium herb extract on proliferation and differentation of rat calvarium osteoblast in vitro

Objective To investigate the effects of serum of aged rat treated with extract of epimedium herb on proliferation and differentiation of rat calvarium osteoblast in vitro. Methods Twenty\|four SD rats at age of 19 months were randomly divided into 3 groups and treated with either saline or extract of epimedium herb (1 g/ml) and extract of epimedium herb (2 g/ml) respectively for 3 months. The animal serum was prepared for culture system in different dilution ratio (1∶20,1∶40,1∶80).MTT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were detected to determine the status and activities of proliferation and differentiation. Results The serum from the treated rats at dilution ratio of 1∶80 significantly induced cell proliferation and differentiation in a dose\|and time\|dcpendert manner, compared with the control( P 0\^05). Conclusion Serum of the aged rat treated with epimedium herb extract stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of neonatal rat osteoblast in vitro.