The co-effect of Cordyceps sinensi (CS; caterpillar fungus) and strontium on ovariectomized osteopenic rats was studied in this paper. After the rats were treated orally with CS, strontium (SR), and CS rich in strontium (CSS), respectively, the urine calcium, plasma calcium, plasma phosphorus, bone mineral content, mechanical testing, and the mass of uterus, thymus, and body were examined. Both CSS and SR have a positive effect on mechanical strength and mineral content of ovariectomized osteopenic rats. However, femoral neck strength in the CSS-treated group was higher than those in the SR-treated groups. CSS and SR significantly decreased urinary calcium excretion and plasma total calcium and inorganic phosphate concentrations. On the contrary, CS and CSS significantly increased weights of atrophic uteri and weights of body and also decreased the thymus mass in animals, whereas SR did not exhibit any such effects. Our experiments have demonstrated that CSS possess a preferable effect against the decrease of bone strength and bone mineral mass caused by osteoporosis. It was caused by the co-effect of CS and strontium. The mechanism of it includes decreases bone resorption, increases bone formation, increases in body weight, and enhances 17β-estradiol-producing as well as enhancing the immune functions in animals. The data provide an important proof of concept that CSS might be a new potential therapy for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis in humans.

The effects of Cordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar fungus) and strontium ranelate on ovariectomized osteopenic rats was studied in this paper. After the rats were treated orally with C. sinensis, strontium, and C. sinensis rich in strontium ranelate (CSS) respectively, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), serum osteocalcin (OC), homocysteine, C-terminal crosslinked telopeptides of collagen type I (CTX), estradiol, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level were examined. The beneficial effects of CSS on improvement of osteoporosis in rats were attributable mainly to decrease ALP activity, TRAP activity, CTX level, and IFN-γ level. At the same time, CSS also increase the OC and estradiol level in ovariectomized osteopenic rats. This study demonstrates the value of C. sinensis rich in strontium ranelate in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis in humans.