To establish a tibial fracture model in rats and preliminarily investigate the intervention mechanisms of Panax japonicus on the tibial fracture healing process based on the angiogenesis mechanisms involved in fracture repair. The main bioactive components of Panax japonicus were characterized, and a comprehensive analysis of the targets influencing fracture healing was conducted using network pharmacology and target prediction. A total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two time periods, with each period consisting of four groups: model group (Mod), low-dose group (L), medium-dose group (M), and high-dose group (H), with six rats in each group. A tibial fracture model was established, and following modeling, the rats were administered Panax japonicus via gavage for six consecutive weeks. The fracture sites were assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining and Micro-CT imaging. Western Blot analysis was conducted to determine the osteogenic quality of the newly formed bone tissue and the expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, and BMP-2 proteins in each group. A total of 175 major bioactive components of Panax japonicus were identified using LC-MS/MS, followed by network pharmacology analysis. The Western Blot results indicated that the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins increased with the dosage of Panax japonicus , showing overall superiority compared to the model group ( P < 0.05). In contrast, the expression of BMP-2 decreased with increasing doses of Panax japonicus compared to the model group ( P < 0.05), suggesting differential temporal regulation of osteogenic and angiogenic processes. Both HE staining and Micro-CT results demonstrated that the osteogenic quality and speed of fracture healing following Panax japonicus intervention were superior to those of the model group ( P < 0.05). Panax japonicus can enhance the osteogenic quality of tibial fracture repair and shorten the healing time by influencing the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and BMP-2. Further investigation is warranted.
Wu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.