| Objective To investigate the effect of puerarin on osteophyte formation after osteoporotic fractures and its effect on fracture healing. Methods Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, ovariectomized group, and puerarin group, with 20 rats in each group. Osteoporotic fracture animal model was established in ovariectomized rats. The fracture healing was evaluated. Serum levels of BMP-2 and VEGF were detected. The morphology changes were observed. The expressions of BMP-2 and VEGF were examined in osteophytes. Results The fracture healing score, serum BMP-2 and VEGF concentrations, BMP-2 and VEGF expression, and micro-vessel counts in the ovariectomized group were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.05). The above indexes in puerarin group were significantly higher than those in the ovariectomized group (P<0.05). In the ovariectomized group, a small amount of trabecular bone could be seen, the growth was sparse, the arrangement was disordered, and the number of fibrous tissues such as fibrocartilage cells, osteoblasts, and new small blood vessels were rare. In the puerarin group, more trabecular bones were seen, which grew more vigorously and arranged in order. More mature bone cells and osteoblasts were seen, and new micro-vessels were more. Conclusion Puerarin promotes the formation of osteophytes, promotes bone morphogenesis, and accelerates fracture healing by mediating the expression of BMP-2 and VEGF in osteoporotic fractures of ovariectomized rats. |