Bioactive Herbal Extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicine Applied with the Biomaterials: For the Current Applications and Advances in the Musculoskeletal System

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated superior therapeutic effect for musculoskeletal diseases for thousands of years. Recently, the herbal extracts of TCM have received rapid advances in musculoskeletal tissue engineering (MTE). A literature review collecting both English and Chinese references on bioactive herbal extracts of TCM in biomaterial-based approaches was performed. This review provides an up-to-date overview of application of TCMs in the field of MTE, involving regulation of multiple signaling pathways in osteogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and chondrogenesis. Meanwhile, we highlight the potential advantages of TCM, opening the possibility of its extensive application in MTE. Overall, the superiority of traditional Chinese medicine turns it into an attractive candidate for coupling with advanced additive manufacturing technology.

Progress in Composite Hydrogels and Scaffolds Enriched with Icariin for Osteochondral Defect Healing

“…Jia et al (2015) [ 63 ] prepared ICA molecularly imprinted polymers by precipitation polymerization using acrylamide as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker, and methanol:acetonitrile mixture (3:1, v / v ) as the reaction solvent, in a molar ratio of template molecule:functional monomer:cross-linker of 1:6:80. An innovative therapy using autologous conditioned serum was proposed as being able to improve tissue regeneration and to reduce the degenerative mechanisms of OA [ 23 , 53 ]. Moreover, ICA-conditioned serum and ICA-conditioned serum combined with chitosan had a positive effect on primary rabbit chondrocyte proliferation and it was also demonstrated the regeneration of cartilage in rabbit osteochondral defect models [ 53 ].…”

“…Moreover, ICA-conditioned serum and ICA-conditioned serum combined with chitosan had a positive effect on primary rabbit chondrocyte proliferation and it was also demonstrated the regeneration of cartilage in rabbit osteochondral defect models [ 53 ]. Moreover, it was observed that the ICA-conditioned serum and hyaluronic acid treatment of rabbit femoral condyle have regenerated the cartilage and subchondral bone [ 23 ]. In vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the potential of several cytocompatible, biomimetic biomaterials containing ICA and natural polymers (fibrin, silk fibrin, hyaluronan, alginate, chitosan, COL), synthetic polymers (polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, polycaprolactone), ceramics (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate), conditioned as composite hydrogels and scaffolds for cartilage repair and bone regeneration in osteochondral defects [ 82 ].…”

“…Natural compounds, such as flavonoids, are increasingly explored for their therapeutic potential in cartilage and bone health. Icariin (ICA) is described as a bioactive flavonoid due to its multiple pharmacological effects, such as osteoprotective, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects, and a positive effect on the reproductive system [ 16 , 23 , 24 ]. In addition to its biological activities that support bone health, ICA improves cardiovascular function, regulates hormones, enhances the immune response, and has anti-hepatotoxic, antiviral, and anticancer activity [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Recent studies have shown the advantage of using ICA in osteochondral regeneration due to both osteogenic and chondrogenic effect, compared to other flavonoids, such as naringin and kaempferol, which presented only osteogenic effects [ 23 ]. Reports on another flavonoid, quercetin, indicated its osteogenic and chondrogenic effects, but evidence on cartilage regeneration and the mechanisms of action were limited [ 29 ].…”

Triptoquinone A and B exercise a therapeutic effect in systemic lupus erythematosus by regulating NLRC3

“…Current research reveals that herbal extracts represent a promising avenue for treating systemic diseases ( Zhang et al, 2019a ; Jabbari et al, 2020 ; Tang, Hosein & Mattioli-Belmonte, 2021 ; Pandey & Nimisha, 2020 ). Traditional medicine (TCM) has demonstrated superior efficacy in addressing locomotor system-related diseases and autoimmune disorders in recent years ( Jabbari et al, 2020 ; Pandey & Nimisha, 2020 ; Zhou et al, 2010 ; Li et al, 2021 ; Chen et al, 2022a ). Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F is renowned for its dehumidiferous roots, which produce Tripterygium glycosides (TGTs).…”