Preliminary studies on the anti-osteoporosis activity of Baohuoside I

[Display omitted] •Baohuoside I could stimulate BMSCs differentiation into osteoblasts.•Baohuoside I could inhibit BMSCs differentiation into adipocytes.•Baohuoside I could regulate the immune function of the ovariectomized model rats.•Baohuoside I exhibited a good antioxidant effect in ovariectomized model rats.•Baohuoside I does not have an estrogen-like effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-osteoporotic activity of Baohuoside I, an active component of Herba Epimedii. Effects of Baohuoside I on the differentiation of BMSCs and the formation of adipocytes were evaluated using alkaline phosphatase staining and methylene blue staining method, respectively. Osteoporosis model was established in ovariectomized rats prior to the measurement of the serum SOD and MDA levels as well as the expression of inflammatory cytokines protein in the rats’ tissues after treatment with Baohuoside I using ELISA assay kits. The estrogen-like effect of Baohuoside I was also measured on HeLa cells. The positive rates of ALP staining in Baohuoside I groups were significantly higher (p