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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Can silver nanoparticles stabilized by Fenugreek (Trigonella foenm -graecum) improve tibial bone defects repair in
Madeh Sadan1,2, Mommen Naem1, Hesham M Tawfeek3
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
A fracture is considered a medical emergency leading to considerable complications.
Aim:
This study aimed to describe the accelerating action of Ag-NPs-FG on fracture healing in rabbits.
Methods:
Silver NPs (AgNPs) were reduced with fenugreek (FG), loaded into a starch gel base, and investigated for their morphology, size, and charge. Four equal groups were randomly formed of 40 adult male rabbits. A 3.5 mm diameter bone defect was created at the proximal metaphysis of the right tibia in each rabbit. Groups 1-4 were injected with placebo saline, AgNPs-FG, plain gel, and FG-gel at the bone defect zone, respectively. The healing was assessed for 8 weeks postoperatively based on the radiographic, bone turnover markers, and histopathological examinations.
Results:
The AgNPs-FG was obtained as a faint reddish color, spherical in shape, with an absorbance of 423 nm, a size of 118.0 ± 1.7 nm, and a surface charge of -7.8 ± 0.518 mV. The prepared AgNPs-FG hydrogel was clear, translucent, and homogenous. The pH values were 6.55-6.5 ± 0.2, the viscosity of 4,000 and 1,875 cPs, and spreadability of 1.6 ± 0.14 and 2.0 ± 0.15 for both FG and AgNPs-FG hydrogel, respectively. The radiographic union scale was significantly (p < 0.05) improved in group 2 with a significant (p < 0.05) increase in bone turnover markers was found in comparison to other treated groups. Histopathological examination revealed the formation of mature bone on the 28th postoperative day in groups 2 and 4.
Conclusion:
Colloidal nano-formulation of AgNPs-FG loaded hydrogel could be a promising formulation to accelerate rabbits' tibial bone healing process.
