Efficacy of Fu-Yuan Capsule in the Healing of Fractures of the Lower End of the Radius in a Rabbit Model

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of Fu-Yuan Capsule in the healing of fractures of the lower end of the radius in a rabbit model.

Methods: After establishing a rabbit fracture model, all animals were randomly divided into the model group (n = 24), the Fu-Yuan Capsule group (n = 24), and the Shenyang Hongyao group (n = 24). The X-ray was applied to observe the course of fracture healing at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after treatment. Haematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine the histological change and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, and phosphorus levels were detected before and after treatment.

Results: X-ray showed that the Fu-Yuan Capsule and Shenyang Hongyao groups exhibited abundant callus shadow areas than the model group in a time-dependent manner. In the model group, the fractures exhibited poor recovery with fibrous callus and obstructed bone marrow cavity. In the Fu-Yuan Capsule and Shenyang Hongyao groups, the fracture showed good recovery and restored normal structure with an effective remodeling of the lamellar bone. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the Fu-Yuan Capsule and Shenyang Hongyao groups had higher expressions of BMP-2 than the model group. Furthermore, serum ALP and calcium-phosphorus product in the Fu-Yuan Capsule and Shenyang Hongyao groups were higher than what they were in the model group.

Conclusions: These results suggest that Fu-Yuan Capsule could promote the fracture healing through upregulating BMP-2 expression and increasing serum ALP and calcium-phosphorus product.