Biomedical Research

Objective: To investigate the impact of Angelica on promoting juvenile rat fracture healing and Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSCs) proliferation.

Patients and Methods: A total of 30 juvenile rats were selected to establish bilateral tibia fracture model and then randomly divided into Angelica group and the control. The rats in Angelica group were fixed with plaster and received Angelica lavage every day. X-ray was used to observe tibia fracture. Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2) expression at the fracture was tested by in situ hybridization. BMSCs were separated upon density gradient method and divided into Angelica group and the control group. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Supernatant VEGF protein concentration was detected by ELSIA assay.

Results: At the first week after modeling, callus formation was found in Angelica group but not control. At the second week, the fracture in Angelica group was completely filled by callus. At the fourth week, the fracture exhibited cortical bone reconstruction and the medullary cavity recanalization in Angelica group. X-ray macroscopic observation score in Angelica group was higher than control. BMP-2 mRNA level significantly increased in Angelica group compared with control. In addition, BMSCs proliferation in Angelica group was obviously higher than that in control. VEGF protein concentration in the supernatant markedly elevated in Angelica group compared with control.

Conclusions: Angelica can facilitate juvenile rat fracture healing by stimulating BMSCs proliferation and upregulating VEGF protein expression.

Author(s): Weidong Zheng, Fengling Zhou, Jian Liu
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