Effect of Natural Medicine on Fractures Healing and Osteoporotic

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Fracture is defined as a complete or incomplete separation in the continuity of the bone. Fracture healing is a complex physiological process that involves the coordinated participation of hematopoietic and immune cells within the bone marrow. In conjunction with vascular and skeletal cell precursors, it also includes mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are recruited from the circulation and the surrounding tissues.

The two basic types of fracture healing are the primary or direct fracture healing and the secondary or indirect fracture healing. Primary (direct) fracture healing occurs with very minimal callus formation. It is a direct attempt of bone to re-establish its continuity and thus requires direct contact of cells in the cortex. Primary healing occurs rarely as the majority of fracture repairs undergo secondary or indirect healing.

Osteoporosis is a heterogeneous cluster of abnormal processes characterized by the net loss of bone. It results in a decrease in total mineralized bone without a decrease in the ratio of bone mineral to the organic matrix. As a result, there is a decrease in the overall amount of bone. The bone loss affects both cortical and trabecular bone, with trabecular bone loss more predominant in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Consequently, osteoporosis would lead to a bone with less tensile strength and significantly more susceptibility to fracture with less force. This syndrome is clinically silent but progressive, usually only noted when a fracture occurs. It is one of the most major public health problems with a mortality of 30% in the first year following the osteoporotic hip fracture.

During the early menopausal years in women, there is a dramatic reduction in circulating estrogen. As a result, there is an increase in the rate of bone resorption, but not reformation. This creates an imbalance and sets the stage for osteoporosis. Although bone loss in women slows after the early postmenopausal years, loss continues through the latter decades of life, and in very old age the rate of loss increases again. In addition to hormonal changes, age-related bone loss is also due to reduced ability to utilize calcium, decreased vitamin D supply due to lower production and reduced absorption, and decreased activation of vitamin D by the kidneys. All of these factors contribute to the increase with age in another hormone—parathyroid hormone. When there is too much parathyroid hormone released in the body (hyperparathyroidism), bones release excessive calcium into the blood stream. As a direct result, bones lose their density and hardness.

Media Contact:

Jessica Watson
Journal Manager
Pharmacognosy and Natural Products
Email: pharmacognosy@pharmajournals.org