Bone induction using puerarin

Abstract

AIM: Puerarin is one of the major phytoestrogens isolated from Pueraria lobata, a Chinese medicine known as Gegen. The aim of this investigation was to compare the amount of new bone produced by puerarin in collagen matrix (carrier) to that produced by the collagen matrix alone. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eighteen bone defects, 5 × 10 mm, were created in the parietal bone of nine New Zealand White rabbits. In the experimental group, six defects were grafted with puerarin solution mixed with collagen matrix. In the control groups, six defects were grafted with collagen matrix alone (active control) and six were left empty (passive control). The animals were killed on day 14 and the defects were dissected and prepared for histological assessment. Serial sections were cut across each defect. Quantitative analysis of new bone formation was made on 100 sections (50 sections for each group) using image analysis. RESULTS: A total of 554 per cent more new bone was present in defects grafted with puerarin in collagen matrix than those grafted with collagen matrix alone. No bone was formed in the passive control group. CONCLUSIONS: Puerarin in collagen matrix has the effect of increasing new bone formation locally and can be used for bone grafting or for bone induction.