N. Mkhumbeni
Vaal University of Technology, South Africa
Title: The effect of Eucomis autumnalis osteogenic markers in vitro
Biography
Biography: N. Mkhumbeni
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been used to treat diseases since time immemorial. South Africa is rich in natural medicinal resources and it has been estimated that over 60% of South Africans make use of medicinal plants that they obtain from traditional healers. The genus Eucomis is endemic to southern Africa and is part of the Hyacinthaceae family. Of the ten species within the genus, Eucomis autumnalis (Mill) Chitt Subspecies autumnalis is the most commonly used herbal remedy for postoperative recovery and the treatment of bone fractures. Its vernacular name is Umathunga, literally meaning ‘to sew (bone) together’. Fracture non-union occurs when a fracture has not healed within the expected period and is not expected to heal without intervention. Expensive treatment is required and is usually associated with multiple surgical procedures, prolonged hospital stay, pain and functional disability. This greatly increases the burden on the health care systems of developing countries. Bone morphogenetic proteins have been used to treat non-union, but they are associated with high cost and the risk of ectopic bone formation in some patients. Medicinal plants may provide a safe and cost effective alternative treatment for fracture non-union, decreasing the time it takes for the patient to return to full activity. No studies have been found investigating the potential osteoinductive activity of Eucomis autumnalis in C2C12 cells, a mouse myoblast cell line. The main aim of this study is to scientifically investigate the effect that E. autumnalis has on osteogenic markers.