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Context: Radix Dipsaci is a kidney tonifying herbal medicine with a long history of safe use for treatment of bone fractures and joint diseases in China. Previous studies have shown that Radix Dipsaci extract (RDE) could prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Objective: This study investigates the effect of RDE against bone loss induced by simulated microgravity. Materials and methods: A hindlimb unloading rat model was established to determine the effect of RDE on bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups ( n = 6 per group): control (CON), hindlimb unloading with vehicle (HLU), hindlimb unloading treated with alendronate (HLU-ALN, 2.0 mg/kg/d), and hindlimb unloading treated with RDE (HLU-RDE, 500 mg/kg/d). RDE or ALN was administrated orally for 4 weeks. Results: Treatment with RDE had a positive effect on mechanical strength, BMD, BMC, bone turnover markers, and the changes in urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion. MicroCT analysis showed that RDE significantly prevented the reduction of the bone volume fraction, connectivity density, trabecular number, thickness, tissue mineral density, and tissue mineral content as well as improved the trabecular separation and structure model index. Discussion and conclusion: RDE was demonstrated to prevent the loss of bone mass induced by HLU treatment, which suggests the potential application of RDE in the treatment of microgravity-induced bone loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Mefenamic acid (MEF) and the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi ( Radix Scutellariae, RS) share a high possibility of combined medication to treat inflammation. Objective: The present study investigates the impact of MEF on absorption/disposition of three major components in RS (baicalein, B; wogonin, W; oroxylin A, OA) and further pharmacological changes. Materials and methods: The apparent permeability (Papp) and percentage of metabolism of B, W and OA at 10 μΜ were measured at the absence/presence of MEF (100 μΜ) in the Caco-2 cell monolayer model. A modified whole blood assay was employed to quantify prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 4, 6 and 8 h post-oral administration with water suspension of MEF at 40 mg/kg and RS at 200 mg/kg. Results: In the presence of MEF, Papp of B, W and OA were increased from 1.69 ± 0.89 × 10−6, 1.57 ± 0.10 × 10−6 and 3.09 ± 0.70 × 10−6 cm/sec to 5.24 ± 0.27 × 10−6, 6.08 ± 0.19 × 10−6 and 4.13 ± 0.38 × 10−6, whereas their percentage of metabolism was decreased from 72.75 ± 2.44%, 73.27 ± 3.25% and 89.84 ± 2.99% to 21.11 ± 0.69%, 17.90 ± 5.55% and 45.44 ± 3.38%. PGE2 level was much lower in the co-administration group (49.04 ± 2.03 pg/ml) than in the MEF group (73.13 ± 3.03 pg/ml) or RS group (494.37 ± 11.75 pg/ml) 4 h post MEF dosing, suggesting a synergic effect. Discussion and conclusion: Co-administration of MEF and RS could induce potential alterations in their pharmacokinetic profiles and anti-inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]