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Gu Sui Bu, the dried rhizome of Drynaria roosii Nakaike, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb historically used to support bone healing and treat osteoporosis. Its rhizome is rich in flavonoids, which are thought to underlie its bone-protective properties. Despite promising individual preclinical studies, no comprehensive synthesis of the evidence had previously been conducted.
Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled animal studies, searching seven electronic databases and ultimately including 31 studies. They assessed the effects of Rhizoma Drynariae extracts on bone mineral density, trabecular microarchitecture, biomechanical strength, and bone metabolism markers in rat models of osteoporosis.
The results showed that treatment with Gu Sui Bu extracts significantly increased bone mineral density, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and bone volume fraction, while reducing trabecular separation. Biomechanical measures of bone strength were also markedly improved. Analysis of bone metabolism markers revealed increases in oestradiol and bone formation markers, alongside reductions in bone resorption markers. Subgroup analyses suggested the greatest effects were observed with total flavonoid extracts, doses below 300 milligrams per kilogram per day, treatment periods under 12 weeks, and in female rats. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of these findings. The authors note these are preclinical results and that high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy in humans.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis of animal studies provides encouraging preclinical evidence that Rhizoma Drynariae extracts may protect against osteoporosis, warranting further well-designed clinical investigation.
Source: Tang R, Wan D, Wei Y et al. Journal of ethnopharmacology (2026). View on PubMed (PMID 41850642) · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2026.121544
