| Abstract: |
Osteoarthritis (OA) represents a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide with progressive cartilage degradation and joint dysfunction. This experimental study investigates the therapeutic potential of plant-based bioactive scaffold constructs in enhancing tissue regeneration within osteoarthritic environments. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of scaffolds derived from natural polymers including chitosan, alginate, and cellulose, incorporated with phytochemical compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, and quercetin. A randomized controlled experimental design was employed utilizing 150 Wistar rats divided into five groups: control, OA-induced, and three treatment groups receiving different scaffold formulations. The methodology encompassed scaffold fabrication, characterization, in vivo implantation, and comprehensive histological and biochemical analyses over 12 weeks. The hypothesis proposed that plant-based bioactive scaffolds would significantly enhance chondrocyte proliferation, reduce inflammatory markers, and promote extracellular matrix synthesis compared to conventional treatments. Results demonstrated substantial improvements in cartilage thickness (p |
