Jingjing Bai & Qingfu Liang

Berberis vulgaris L. (BV) is rich in isoflavonoids and essential minerals that may enhance bone repair by promoting osteoblast differentiation, stimulating osteoprogenitors, and inhibiting osteoclast activity. This study explored the effects of BV extract on bone healing using a femur fracture model in Wistar rats. Eighty rats were divided into eight groups, including a normal control receiving distilled water (DW), a BV-treated group receiving 200 mg/kg of BV daily, a fracture group treated with DW, and fracture groups receiving either 200 or 400 mg/kg of BV daily. Additionally, a fracture group was given Osteocare (OC) syrup, while two combinatory groups received BV with OC syrup. Radiographic assessments of femur fractures and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) were conducted at 30, 60, and 90 days using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured, along with calcitonin and parathyroid hormone (PTH) using ELISA kits. Bone tissue was analyzed for p53 gene expression through immunohistochemistry, and osteoprogenitor stimulation was evaluated by measuring OPG, RANK, RANKL, and BMP-2 gene expression. The results indicated that BV supplementation significantly improved BMD and enhanced serum levels of bone formation markers and osteogenesis-related hormones. The study suggests that BV positively influences bone healing through modulation of the OPG/RANK/BMP-2 pathway and may be a promising therapeutic agent for fracture healing and osteoporosis management.

KEY WORDS: Osteogenesis; Bone mineral density; Bone healing; Berberis vulgaris L.; Femur fracture.

BAI, J. & LIANG, Q. Enhancement of bone mineralization and osteoprogenitor activity by Berberis vulgaris L.: Insights into BMP-2 and RANK pathway modulation in a rat femur fracture model. Int. J. Morphol., 43(1):258-268, 2025.