| Objective To investigate the effects of Aralia echinocaulis Hand.Mazz in rat fracture model using Micro-CT and bone mechanics testing. Methods Fracture model was set up in SD rats. 60 three-month-old female SD rats in SPF grade were randomly divided into model group, aqueous extract of Aralia echinocaulis Hand.Mazz low dosage group [0.9 g/ ( kg?d )], medium dosage group [1.8 g/ ( kg?d )] and high dosage group [3.6 g /( kg?d )]. They were treated for 14, 21 and 28 days. Rats in the model group were treated with distilled water, and rats in the different Aralia echinocaulis Hand.Mazz dose groups were treated with corresponding dosage once a day for 4 weeks. After 14, 21 and 28 days, the right tibia of each rat was taken out for bone mechanics testing. In addition, the left tibia of each rat was taken out for Micro-CT scanning and 3D-reconstruction. Results Compared with the model group, from the 14th day to the 28th day, the bone mechanics testing of right tibia of rats in the medium group and high group had significant increases in elastic deflection, elastic load, maximum deflection, maximum load, maximum stress, maximum strain, elastic stress and elastic strain (P<0.05). At the 21st day and the 28th day, the left tibia microscopic parameters of rats in the medium group and high group showed that BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.V were markedly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas Tb.Sp and SMI were decreased, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Aralia echinocaulis Hand.Mazz might repair tibia micro-structure of rats, and promote bone density. It can promote bone tissue structural integrity. The bone shock resistance and deformation ability were improved. Bone strength and bone mechanical properties were increased. Aralia echinocaulis Hand.Mazz can promote the process of fracture healing in rats. |