Effect of Jintiange capsule on the gut microbiota of rats with ovariectomized osteoporosis

This study investigated whether Jintiange (JTG) capsules improve postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats by modulating gut microbiota composition. Eighteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham, OVX, and JTG (360 mg/kg/day) groups. After a 3-months intervention, bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular microstructure were assessed via Micro-computed tomography. Serum bone turnover markers, including procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and CTX-1, were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fecal gut microbiota profiles were characterized using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. JTG capsule intervention significantly attenuated bone loss in OVX rats, as evidenced by increased BMD, preserved bone microstructure, elevated serum PINP, and reduced CTX-1 levels (p < 0.05). Sequence analysis of 16 S rRNA amplicons revealed that JTG partially reversed OVX-induced dysbiosis, significantly increasing microbial richness (Chao1 and Observed OTUs) and shifting the microbial structure. Specifically, JTG increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium longum, Clostridium, and Prevotellaceae UCG-001 while decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes (p < 0.05). JTG capsules alleviate osteoporosis in OVX rats by restoring gut microbiota homeostasis and enriching beneficial, bone health–related probiotics. These findings provide an experimental basis for targeting the gut-bone axis with JTG in postmenopausal osteoporosis management.