Effect of Dioscorea batatas on longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats

OBJECTIVE The root of Dioscorea batatas,rich in steroidal saponins,alkaloids,tannins,phytosterols,and starch,is an herbal medicine of tonifying qi and nourishing stomach after invigorating spleen with a long history of safe use for treatment of chronic dysentery and weakness of the spleen and stomach in Korea.This study was aimed to investigate the effect of D.batatas on longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats.METHODS D.batatas was extracted with 30% EtOH for 3h at 90℃in a reflux apparatus.In two groups,we administered a twice daily dosage of D.batatas extract(at 30 and 300mg·kg-1,respectively)per os for 4d,and in a control group,we administered vehicle only under the same conditions.Recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)was subcutaneously injected once daily.All rats were born at same day(33d-old).On day 3,tetracycline was injected intraperitoneally to form a fluorescent band on the growth plates.RESULTS The bone growth rate in groups administered D.batatas 300mg·kg-1 and rhGH was significantly increased to 343.8±20.7,and 359.6±30.2μm·d-1 respectively from control group,320.7±23.2μm·d-1.No difference was observed in the amount of food intake or mean body weight among all groups during the acclimation or administration period.CONCLUSION These results suggest that D.batatas extracts have the potential to induce height increase;however,further research,including clinical trials,is necessary.