Cissusquadrangularis (CQ), commonly known as Veld grape is known for its benefits for joint and bone health and practiced in traditional medicine. Bone injuries occur due to trauma or different disease conditions. Its phyto-bioactives or plant extracts are natural and non-toxic therapeutic alternatives in treating bone injuries safely and without any side effects even in higher doses. They are widely used in alternative medicine for curing bone ailments and in promoting healing.
Now, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and Birla Institute of Technology (BIT),Mesra have jointly developed a novel drug delivery system that enables efficient delivery of phyto-bioactives of this plant to promote healing of diseased and injured bones.
The novel drug delivery system circumvents the limitations associated with growth factors, hormones and synthetic drugs. It promotes stimulation of osteoblast genesis (bone cells for the development of new bone) and can be used as preventive/alternative natural medicine for bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The innovation will cater to critical bone defects with acceleration of the growth of new bones and is expected to bring significant changes in bone healing treatments.
The delivery system has been built using new technology for usage of nano-hydroxyapatite, a biomaterial that is known to help remineralize and repair teeth and bones. The nano-hydroxyapatite-based bone substitute allows local, sustained release and long-term delivery of the phyto-bioactive constituents to heal bone defects.
The team  led by Prof. Ashok Kumar (Biological Sciences & Bioengineering Department, IIT Kanpur) and Dr.Sneha Singh (BIT Mesra) said the innovation will cater to critical bone defects with acceleration of the growth of new bones and is expected to bring significant changes in bone healing treatments.
