Lu Gu

The dominant organic component of deer bone. On hydrolysis it yields bioactive peptides and gelatin that promote collagen and elastin synthesis, support endochondral ossification, and underlie the traditional use for strengthening sinews and bones.

Provides calcium and phosphate that help maintain serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium balance and supply substrate for bone formation.

Sika deer bone polypeptide extracts increase serum calcium and osteocalcin (BGP) and reduce alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone in osteoporotic animal models, promoting bone formation and slowing resorption.

Contributes to cartilage and joint matrix support, consistent with the traditional use for joint pain and rheumatic Bi syndrome.

Participate in bone matrix formation and mineralization signaling.

Support enzymatic cofactor functions and the calcium/phosphorus/magnesium ratios required for healthy bone metabolism.

Traditionally the cleaned, crushed bones are steeped in rice wine or spirits, sometimes with other sinew-and-bone herbs, and the wine taken in small amounts for chronic Wind-Damp Bi (rheumatic joint pain) and weak sinews and bones. CONSERVATION AND LEGAL WARNING: Sika deer (Cervus nippon) is a Category I State Key Protected Wild Animal in China and several subspecies are IUCN-endangered; wild-sourced deer products are illegal to trade without government permit and may be restricted under national wildlife law and CITES-related controls. Only legally farmed deer material should ever be considered, with documentation of legal provenance.

Bones may be prolonged-boiled to a gelatinous glue or decocted (commonly 9-15 g of bone material) for tonifying deficiency and strengthening sinew and bone. SUBSTITUTES: Because of conservation and legal restrictions, practitioners routinely substitute plant sinew-and-bone tonics such as Xu Duan (Dipsacus asper), Gu Sui Bu (Drynaria), Sang Ji Sheng (Taxillus), and Du Zhong (Eucommia), or use farmed deer antler glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) from legally regulated sources.

In a glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis rat model, deer bone polypeptide extract raised serum calcium and osteocalcin and lowered serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin, indicating reduced bone resorption and improved bone formation.

Label-free proteomic profiling of deer bone hydroethanolic extract characterized its protein composition and demonstrated safety together with a promoting effect on proliferation of mouse embryonic osteoblastic progenitor (MC3T3-E1-type) cells.

Nano-processed natural deer bone meal was biocompatible and promoted proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, supporting a bone-regenerative role for deer bone material.