Multiple Bio-imaging Modalities in Evaluation of Epimedium-Derived Phytoestrogenic Fraction for Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Recently, we extracted phytoestrogenic fraction (PF) from herbal Epimedium, which is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) known as a bone-strengthening Chinese herb. This herb has been widely prescribed for musculoskeletal diseases in routine clinical practice of TCM. In this chapter the authors introduce multiple bio-imaging modalities adopted for evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of Epimedium-derived phytoestrogenic fraction (EPF) in two sections. Experimentally, we show that EPF exerted its prevention of estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis in both mechanical and bone-quality indices. Clinically, our clinical placebo-controlled trial using bone densitometry showed that EPF was able to exert beneficial effects on both promotion of periosteal apposition and inhibition of endocortical resorption for improving mechanically structural geometry at osteopenic femoral neck in postmenopausal women. Both preclinical and clinical studies did not document side effects associated with reproductive tissues or organs.