Can silver nanoparticles stabilized by Fenugreek (Trigonella foenm -graecum) improve tibial bone defects repair in rabbits? A preliminary study

Abstract

Background: A fracture is considered a medical emergency leading to considerable complications. Aim: This study aimed to describe the accelerating action of Ag-NPs-FG on fracture healing in rabbits. Methods: AgNPs were reduced with FG, loaded into a starch gel base, and investigated for their morphology, size, and charge. Four equal groups were randomly formed of 40 adult male rabbits. A 3.5 mm diameter bone defect was created at the proximal metaphysis the right tibia in each rabbit. Groups 1 to 4 were injected with placebo saline, AgNPs-FG, plain gel, and FG-gel at the bone defect zone, respectively. The healing was assessed for 8 weeks postoperatively based on the radiographic, bone turnover markers, and histopathological examinations. Results: The AgNPs-FG was obtained as a faint reddish color, spherical in shape, with an absorbance of 423 nm, a size of 118.0±1.7 nm, and a surface charge of -7.8±0.518 mV. The prepared AgNPs-FG hydrogel was clear, translucent, and homogenous. The pH values were 6.55-6.5±0.2, the viscosity of 4000 and 1875 cPs, and spreadability of 1.6±0.14 and 2.0±0.15 for both FG and AgNPs-FG hydrogel, respectively. Radiographic union scale was significantly (p [Open Vet J 2024; 14(5.000): 1281-1293]

Keywords

• animals
• diagnostic imaging
• fenugreek
• radiography
• silver nanoparticles