RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of long term Naoyaojia administration on the structural mechanical properties of rat femurs. METHOD: Young wistar rats were treated orally with Naoyaojia at doses of 3, 6, and 12 mg/kg body weight every 2 weeks for 1 year. Beary's bending test was used for determining physical properties of the femur. RESULT: The thickness of the cortex and cross-sectional area of femur increased significantly in animals treated with 3 mg/kg dose of Naoyaojia (P<0.01), significant increase in maximum bending load was also found in this group compared with the control group (P<0.01). But an opposite change was found in animals treated with 12 mg/kg dose of Naoyaojia. CONCLUSION: Stimulation on the thickness of the cortex along the axis as well as the maximum bending load of femurs are found in animals treated with 3 mg/kg dose of Naoyaojia, but negative effects were observed at higher dose level.