Astragaloside IV modulates oxidative stress and osteoimmune–Wnt signaling in ovariectomized rats: an integrated study of RNA sequencing, molecular docking, and experimental validation

Background: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is characterized by high-turnover bone loss and oxidative stress. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) exhibits antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, yet its skeletal effects and mechanistic basis in ovariectomized (OVX) models remain incompletely defined. Methods: -catenin, and NF-κB p65 region (mean fluorescence intensity, normalized to Sham). Results: -catenin were not significantly rescued within this sampling window. Molecular docking suggested favorable binding between AS-IV and selected targets, supporting its multitarget profile. Conclusion: AS-IV modulates oxidative stress and osteoimmune-Wnt signaling in OVX rats, with directional improvements in bone turnover markers but without significant micro-CT structural changes. This work provides a foundation for hypothesis-driven investigation of AS-IV in PMOP.