Figure 1.

Icariin stimulated local bone formation in mouse calvaria. (a) Transverse sections of mouse calvaria were cut at 3 μm thickness and unstained sections were viewed under a fluorescent microscope. The data showed that Icariin (3 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day) significantly increased new bone formation. Mineral appositional rate (MAR) (b) and bone formation rate (BFR) (c) were quantified. Data were expressed as mean ± SD, n = 4. Significant increases in MAR and BFR of the Icariin-treated group (3 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day) were observed. *P < 0.05, unpaired Student's t-test (compared with vehicle control).