Effect of Uraria picta on bone healing in rabbits: a radiographic, angiographic and histopathological study

The study was conducted on 18 New Zealand white rabbits divided into groups 1 and 2 consisting of 9 animals each. Under thiopentone anaesthesia (2.5%) osteotomy of ulna was created in each animal. The animals of group 1 were fed with powdered stem and leaves of Uraria picta alongwith rabbit feed throughout the study period. In animals of group 2 only rabbit feed was given. Bone healing was assessed by radiography, angiography and histopathological examination at 7, 14, 21 and 28 day intervals. In group 1 animals at day 28 the osteotomy gap was filled completely and exogenous soft tissue vascularity was near normal; histopathologically, the newly formed bone appeared more or less compact. However, in group 2 animals the compact trabecular bone was less mature than the adjacent cortical bone. The results suggest that feeding of dry stem and leaves of Uraria picta enhances bone healing in rabbits.