Experimental investigation of the effect of berberine use on bone healing

Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of berberine on bone healing with the help of different parameters by creating a bone defect. Material and Method: Our study was conducted on 35 male adult Wistar albino rats, aged 4-6 months, weighing between 300-350 g. After creating a defect in the right tibia of the animals in the experimental and control groups, 100 mg/kg/day berberine was administered to the animals in the experimental group via daily gavage. Some of the animals in both the experimental and control groups were sacrificed on the 14th day and some on the 28th day. TNF-α, NFKB, IL1, IL2, IL6 and IL10 levels were measured by ELISA method in the serum of animals from which intracardiac blood was taken. Tibiae dissected from the surrounding soft tissues were examined histopathologically for ulceration, serous degeneration, epithelialization, edema, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, osteoblastic activity, osteoclastic activity, new bone formation and fibrous tissue thickness. RANK, RANKL and OPG levels were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Result: No significant difference was found between groups in serum TNF-α, NFKB, IL1, IL2, IL6 and IL10 levels. No significant difference was found between the groups in the levels of ulceration, serous degeneration, epithelialization and edema examined histopathologically, both on the 14th day and on the 28th day. Histopathologically examined PMN and MNL levels, osteoclastic activity, fibrous tissue thickness, RANK and RANKL levels were found to be significantly higher in the control group than the experimental group on both the 14th day and the 28th day. Osteoblastic activity, new bone formation and OPG levels were found significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study experimentally examines the effect of berberine on bone healing and compares the results histopathologically. Our results demonstrate the positive effects of berberine on bone healing. More experimental and clinical studies are needed to bring it into clinical use in dentistry.