Evaluation of the Effects of Curcumin/Polycaprolactone Nano Composite on the Healing of Experimental Osteomyelitis in Rabbit Tibia

Osteomyelitis is caused by the local spread of an infected source adjacent to the infection following trauma, bone surgery, or joint replacement. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin/polycaprolactone on the healing of experimental osteomyelitis in tibia in rabbits. After induction of osteomyelitis, twenty adult male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into Control group in which the animals were considered as controls and no scaffolds were used, and NCMPST group in which the created bone defects were filled with the combination of polycaprolactone and curcumin. Bone samples were taken for histopathologic evaluation on the 30th and 60th days. For radiological evaluations of the osteomyelitis, radiographs were prepared at time intervals zero (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after surgery. In order to evaluate hematology, blood was taken on days 0 (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60. The results of the present study showed that curcumin nanocomposite significantly improved the healing process of the rabbit tibia experimental osteomyelitis model compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, curcumin/polycaprolactone nanocomposite scaffold showed positive effects on the healing process.