Symphytum officinale enhances fracture healing in Wistar albino rats by promoting osteogenesis in fracture callus

Abstract

Background

Symphytum officinale (SO) is a medicinal plant. This study investigated if homoeopathic doses of SO could enhance fracture healing in adult male Wistar albino rats after induction of fracture.

Methods

Adult male Wistar albino rats underwent open osteotomy (femur), were divided into various treatment groups and received homoeopathic doses of oral SO (mother tincture (MT) and 6C), vehicle control and standard care (control). X-ray imaging and serum analysis evaluated fracture healing. The rats were sacrificed at two time points: at 2 weeks (radiological appearance of early-soft callus) and at 5 weeks (late-hard callus). The fracture callus was evaluated with H&E staining, quantitative bone morphometry, and immunohistochemistry. Bone-specific Alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were evaluated in serum using ELISA.

Results

X-rays showed faster formation of callus (both soft and hard callus) in groups treated with MT and 6C doses of oral SO. Quantitative bone morphometry indicated enhanced osteogenesis in both soft (early) and hard (late) callus in animals treated with MT and 6C doses of SO. Immunohistochemical evaluation of soft (early) and hard (late) callus for Col1A1 and Osteocalcin revealed supporting osteogenic mechanisms. Serum levels of B- ALP and CTX indicated osteoanabolic activity in rats treated with the MT dose of SO.

Conclusions

Oral administration of homoeopathic doses of Symphytum officinale (especially mother tincture dose), has the potential to enhance fracture healing in adult male Wistar albino rats.