RESUMO
12-day embryonic chicken frontal bone digested with trypsin to prepare the suspension of isolated bone cells. 3 x 10(6) cells were harvested altogether. The cells were divided equally into five parts. Then the Eagle medium and 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae in Eagle medium were added respectively and cultured in 5% CO2 incubator. It was observed under the inverted microscope every day. At the 26th day of culture, the cells were studied. The specimens were stained with H. E., Alcian Blue-Sirius Red, Alizarin Red S staining and alkaline phosphatase-acid phosphatase reaction for comparison. It was found that the maturation of the osteoblast-like cells could be accelerated by Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae. Secretion of the collagenous substance, positive alkaline phosphatase reaction and deposition of mineral on the collagenous substance, forming bone nodules were found to be enhanced. But unduly high concentration of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae could lead to inhibition of osteoblast-like cell growth. The optimal concentration of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae was 0.2% in culture medium.