The effect of icariin on the bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts is assessed in vitro. Osteoclasts were isolated from Japanese white rabbits and cultured on plates with a sterilized bone slice in each well. After treatment with icariin at various concentrations, the bone resorption activity of osteoclasts was evaluated by examining pit areas, superoxide anion (generation, size and number of actin rings and intracellular calcium concentration [Ca 2+ ] i . As revealed by these data, icariin elicited continuous decline of [Ca 2+ ] i , making actin ring constricted and · O 2 -generation decreased. These events resulted in smaller and fewer pits which indicate suppressed bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts by icariin. icariin, osteoclasts, actin ring, intracellular calcium, superoxideOsteoporosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity in the elderly. Bone loss in osteoporosis is caused by the excess of osteoclastic bone resorption over osteoblastic bone formation. Therefore, specific suppressers of osteoclast function and stimulators of bone formation are therapeutically promising in the treatment of osteoporosis. While a number of therapies are currently available (calcium supplements, vitamin D, fluoride, bisphosphonates, etc.), most are associated with disadvantages and some with deleterious side effects such as increased risks of thromboembolism or cancer [1][2][3] . In recent years, more and more researchers are turning their attention to phytochemicals. Daidzein and genistein, both are isoflavones from soybeans, and have been proved effective in the treatment of osteoporosis [4] . Icariin (C 33 H 40 O 15 ; molecular weight: 676.67) is a flavonoid glycoside isolated from Herba Epimedii (HEP) [5] , a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat fractures, bone and joint diseases, and gonad dysfunctions [6] . HEP extract, either as a single herbal extract or in a composite formula, could reduce the occurrence of osteoporosis in various experimental models [7][8][9][10][11] . However, few studies have been focused on the effect of pure icariin on cultured osteoclastic cells. The present study was designed to examine whether icariin can produce anti-resorption activity in vitro using rat osteoclasts. After treatment with icariin at various concentrations, the bone resorption activity of osteoclasts was evaluated by examining pit areas, superoxide anion ( · O 2 − ) generation, size and number of actin rings and intracellular calcium concentration [Ca 2+ ] i . Based on these data, an interpretation of the regulatory effect of icariin was proposed.