| ObjectiveThis study was undertaken to define the biological properties oficariin-loaded chitosan hydrogel, as well as to determine its osteogeneticactivity in a rabbit radius fracture model.MethodsIcariin-incorporated chitosan hydrogel was prepared and its temperaturesensitivity was assessed. A transverse fracture was induced in both radiiof36rabbits, and these animals were randomly divided into two groups(n=12for each group): ICH group with injection of icariin-incorporatedchitosan hydrogel and CH group with injection of chitosan hydrogel intoone side of the bone defects. The contralateral radius fracture was leftuntreated and used as control (n=36). At2,4, and6weeks after operation,four rabbits from each group were euthanized and both radii wereremoved for X-ray imaging and histological analysis.ResultsThe icariin-loaded chitosan hydrogel showed goodtemperature-responsive property in vitro, which remained in a liquid state and formed a gel at37°C. All radius fractures were cured6weeks aftertreatment with the icariin-loaded chitosan hydrogel. When compared withthe CH group and the control group, the ICH group had a significantly(p<0.05) higher gray level in X-ray images. Pathological analysisrevealed that there was a significantly (p<0.05) greater percentage ofosteoblasts in the newly formed bone area in the ICH group relative to theother two groups.ConclusionThe injectable, temperature-responsive icariin-incorporated chitosanhydrogel has potent osteogenetic activity and can improve bone fracturehealing. |
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