Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen drug-containing serum promotes proliferation and activity of mouse osteoblasts

Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen (JPYS) decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal formula. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of JPYS drug-containing serum on the proliferation and activity of mouse osteoblasts. Sprague‒Dawley rats were fed JPYS decoction, calcium supplement, or normal saline for 6 weeks, and the serum was collected. Mouse osteoblasts were treated with JPYS drug-containing serum, calcium supplement serum, or blank control serum. Cell proliferation was assayed using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide. Levels of alkaline phosphatase, nitric oxide, and nitric oxide synthase in the culture medium were measured. The JPYS drug-containing serum significantly improved the proliferation of osteoblasts compared to the blank control serum and the calcium supplement serum. It also significantly increased the levels of alkaline phosphatase in the culture medium compared to the blank control serum and the calcium supplement serum. Treatment with JPYS drug-containing serum for 48 h and 72 h significantly increased the nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the culture medium compared to the blank control serum. The NOS activity of the osteoblasts was significantly increased by JPYS drug-containing serum compared to blank control serum and calcium supplement serum. All these results were enhanced that the JPYS decoction promotes the proliferation and activity of mouse osteoblasts. These effects may be the underlying mechanisms of JPYS decoction in treating osteoporosis.