Abstract:The ovariectomized model rats were intervened with estrogen and low-，medium-，and high-dose Salvia miltiorrhiza extract，respectively，and the effect of the extract on osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency in rats was studied.The SD rats were assigned into six groups：a sham operation group，a model group，low-，medium-，and high-dose S.miltiorrhiza extract groups，and an estrogen group.After 12 weeks of continuous administration，the uterine coefficient，as well as the wet weight，dry weight，and ash weight of femur，was measured，and the morphological changes of femur and tibia were observed.The results showed that compared with the sham operation group，the ovariectomy increased the body weight（P<0.01），decreased the uterine coefficient and the wet weight，dry weight，and ash weight of femur（P<0.05），and caused the loosening，fracture，and disordered arrangement of trabeculae in the femur and tibia.Compared with the model group，S.miltiorrhiza extract and estrogen decreased the body weight（P<0.05），increased the uterine coefficient and the wet weight，dry weight，and ash weight of femur（P<0.05），and recovered the trabecular structure of the femur and tibia to varying degrees.In summary，S.miltiorrhiza extract could improve bone mass and microstructure in ovariectomized rats and had slighter effect on the uterus than estrogen，demonstrating significant role in alleviating the osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in rats.