Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the bone healing effect of Dohongsamul-tang (Taohongsiwu-tang; DH) on femur fractured mice.
Methods Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (naive, control, positive control and DH). All groups except naive group were subjected to bone fracture on both hind limb femurs. Naive group received no treatment at all. Control group was fed with normal saline, and positive control group was orally medicated with tramadol. DH-treated group was orally medicated with DH. We analysed the levels of BMP2, COX2, Col2a1, Sox9, Runx2, and Osterix genes on 3, 7 and 14 days after fracture. Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured for safety assessment.
Results In morphological, histological analysis, callus formation process of DH-treated group was faster than the control group. BMP2, Sox9 gene expression were significantly increased at 7 days after fracture compared to the control group. COX2, Col2a1 gene expression were significantly increased at 14 days after fracture compared to the control group. Total cholesterol was significantly increased by DH at 3 days. Triglyceride was significantly decreased by DH at 3, 7 days after fracture compared to the control group.
Conclusions Dohongsamul-tang promoted bone healing process after fracture by stimulating the bone regeneration factors. And DH shows no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and serum lipid abnormality. In conclusion, it seems that DH helps to promote fracture regeneration after bone fracture by regulating gene expressions related to bone repair. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2020;30(2):47-66)