Objective: To investigate the effect of Jiegu Chuangshang ointment combined with iontophoresis of traditional Chinese medicine on fracture healing

and define its effect in strengthening the healing of fracture and its possible mechanism. Method: Totally 160 male healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into blank control group (blank group for short)

Jiegu Chuangshang ointment combined with iontophoresis of traditional Chinese medicine group (combined therapy group for short)

Jiegu Chuangshang ointment control group (treated only with Jiegu Chuangshang ointment

control group for short) and model group

with 40 rabbits in each group. Except for the blank group

all of the other animals were included in the right radius fracture model and were subdivided randomly into 4 small groups at 4 time points-the 2th

4th

6th

8th weeks

with 10 in each group. The combined therapy group was treated with Jiegu Chuangshang ointment combined with iontophoresis of traditional Chinese medicine

and control group only received the treat of Jiegu Chuangshang ointment

blank group and model group were not treated. At the 2th

4th

6th

8th week

serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and bone gla protein (BGP) content were determined

and the bone mineral density test

X-ray imaging check

histological and morphological detection were completed. Result: Compared with the normal group

the model group showed significant lower serum AKP and BGP content

bone mineral density and X-ray imaging score (P<0.01) and obvious pathological and morphological detection results. Compared with the model group

at the 2th

4th

6th

8th week after treatment

the activity level of serum AKP and BGP content of the combined therapy group was significantly higher (P<0.05

P<0.01). Besides

the bone mineral density

X-ray imaging score

histological sections and morphological detection also shows that the fracture healing in the combined therapy group was ahead of schedule (P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the differences at each time point between the two groups were significant statistically (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Jiegu Chuangshang ointment combined with iontophoresis of traditional Chinese medicine accelerate the healing of fracture by influencing the whole process of fracture healing.