Ellagic acid and hydroxyapatite promote angiogenesis marker in bone defect

Abstract

The combination of hydroxyapatite and the herbal extract ellagic acid is expected to accelerate the bone healing process (osteogenesis) due to the extract's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The osteogenesis process is closely associated with angiogenesis markers, such as fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and alkali phosphatase (ALP). The objective of this study is to analyse the combination of ellagic acid and hydroxyapatite to promote FGF-2, VEGF and ALP expression as angiogenesis markers in a bone defect model. The research sample comprised 30 male Wistar rats with a defect introduced on the left femur; these were divided into three groups for treatment with ellagic acid and hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (control). On days 7 and 14 days after treatment, the Wistar rats were euthanised, and the femoral bone tissue was removed for the immunohistochemical analysis of FGF-2, VEGF and ALP expression. FGF-2 and ALP expression increased in the group treated with ellagic acid and hydroxyapatite on days 7 and 14 post treatment (p < 0.05), and there was an increase in VEGF expression on day 7 post treatment (p < 0.05). The combination of ellagic acid and hydroxyapatite promoted FGF-2, VEGF and ALP expression as angiogenesis markers in the bone defect model.