Effects of sustained delivery of thymoqiunone on bone healing of male rats.

The use of natural products as an alternative to conventional treatment in healing and treatment of various diseases has been on the rise in the last few decades. Nigella sativa, a natural herb has long been used as a natural medicine for treatment of many acute, as well as, chronic conditions. These include diabetes, hypertension and dermatological conditions. The specific objectives of this study were: (1) to successfully deliver the active component of black seed called Thymoqiunone (TMQ) at sustained level using TCPL drug delivery system; (2) to evaluate the physiological responses associated with sustained delivery of TMQ in femoral defect animal model (bone healing). A total of 15 adult male rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Animals in group I served as controls, animals in group II served as sham while animals in group III served as experimental group (femur defect model). Group III animals were surgically implanted with TCPL capsule loaded with 0.02 grams of TMQ and 200 mg vancomycin. Blood samples, x-rays and body weights were collected and recorded weekly. At the end of 30 days post treatment, all animals were sacrificed and vital as well as reproductive organs were collected and analyzed histopathologically. Metabolic biochemical markers were also evaluated. The results of this study revealed the following: (i) gross anatomical observation indicated difference in healing pattern of animals in group III compared to those in group II (sham); (ii) no significant differences in all levels of cholesterol, proteins, malondialdehyde and alkaline phosphatase in all groups; (iii) no significant differences in the wet weights of vital as well as reproductive organs in all the groups. In conclusion, it appears that sustained levels of TMQ can enhance bone healing with little or no side effects on major vital and reproductive organs.