Objective: To investigate the development of a minimal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula using selected TCM ingredients and evaluating their biological activity with bone-specific in vitro tests. Finally, determining if the minimal formula can maintain bone mineral density (BMD) in a low bone mass (LBM)/osteoporosis (OP) model system. Methods and results: Sixteen different TCM plant extracts were tested for estrogenic, osteogenic and osteoclastic activities. Despite robust activation of the full-length estrogen receptors alpha and beta by Psoralea corylifolia and Epimedium brevicornu, these extracts do not activate the isolated estrogen ligand binding domains (LBD) of either ER alpha or ER beta; estrogen (17-beta estradiol) fully activates the LBD of ER alpha and ER beta. E. brevicornu and Drynaria fortunei extracts activated cyclic AMP response elements (CRE) individually and when combined these ingredients stimulated the production of osteoblastic markers Runx2 and Bmp4 in MC3T3-E1 cells. E. brevicornu, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Astragalus onobrychis extracts inhibited the II-1 beta mediated activation of NF-kappa beta and an E. brevicornu/D. fortunei combination inhibited the development of osteoclasts from precursor cells. Further, a minimal formula containing the E. brevicornu/D. fortunei combination with or without a third ingredient (S. miltiorrhiza, Angelica sinensis, or Lycium barbarum) maintained bone mineral density (BMD) similar to an estradiol-treated control group in the ovariectomized rat; a model LBM/OP system. Conclusion: A minimal formula consisting of TCM plant extracts that activate CRE and inhibit of NF-kappa beta activation, but do not behave like estrogen, maintain BMD in a LBM/OP model system. (C) 2017 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University. Production and hosting by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.