Methods and compositions for bone and cartilage repair

Abstract

Biologically active extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus L. and compositions containing the extract are described. Therapeutic uses of the extract and compositions include promoting healing of bone and cartilage injuries and also the promotion of bone and cartilage formation.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A biologically active extract of  Hibiscus tiliaceus  L., wherein the extract is prepared using and/or comprises a plant based oil. 
     
     
         2 . The extract of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is derived from one or more of a bark, leaf, vine, bean, husk or nut. 
     
     
         3 . The extract of  claim 1 , wherein the  Hibiscus tiliaceus  L. extract is derived from bark. 
     
     
         4 . The extract of  claim 1 , wherein the plant based oil is derived from  Cocos nucifera.    
     
     
         5 . The extract of  claim 4 , wherein the  Cocos nucifera  oil is virgin  Cocos nucifera  oil, refined  Cocos nucifera  oil, hydrogenated  Cocos nucifera  oil or fractionated  Cocos nucifera  oil. 
     
     
         6 . A method for promoting the formation, repair or regeneration of bone or cartilage in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of
 (a) a composition comprising a biologically active extract of  Hibiscus tiliaceus  L., wherein the extract is prepared using and/or comprises a plant based oil, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and/or excipients, or   (b) osteoblasts, osteoblastic progenitor cells, or bone segments or fragments cultured in the presence of the composition (a).   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an extract of one or more of  Vigna marina  (Burm.) Merr.,  Cocos nucifera  L., or  Terminalia catappa  L. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the subject is suffering from a bone or cartilage injury, defect or disease, or may be susceptible or predisposed to a bone or cartilage injury, defect or disease, or is undergoing or has undergone a bone or cartilage graft procedure. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating a bone or cartilage injury, defect or disease in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of
 (a) a biologically active extract of  Hibiscus tiliaceus  L., wherein the extract is prepared using and/or comprises a plant based oil,   (b) a composition comprising a biologically active extract of  Hibiscus tiliaceus  L., wherein the extract is prepared using and/or comprises a plant based oil, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and/or excipients, or   (c) osteoblasts, osteoblastic progenitor cells, or bone segments or fragments cultured in the presence of the extract (a) or the composition (b).   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the extract or composition enhances the rate or extent of healing of the injury, defect or disease. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the extract or composition promotes bone or cartilage formation, repair or regeneration. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  for promoting bone or cartilage growth surrounding a bone or cartilage graft or implantable device, wherein the composition or osteoblasts, osteoblastic progenitor cells or bone segments or fragments are administered to the subject prior to, during or after a graft or implantation procedure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the graft is an autograft or allograft. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the graft or implantation procedure is for the repair of a bone fracture or for the purposes of skeletal fusion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the extract, the composition, or the osteoblasts, osteoblastic progenitor cells or bone segments are coated onto the implantable device, used as an adjunct to the device, or used as an adjunct to a bone cement used to anchor the device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an extract of one or more of  Vigna marina  (Burm.) Merr.,  Cocos nucifera  L., or  Terminalia catappa  L. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the extract of  Vigna marina  (Burm.) Merr.,  Cocos nucifera  L., or  Terminalia catappa  L. is formulated in the same composition as the extract of  Hibiscus tiliaceus  L. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the administration to the subject is during an arthroscopic or open surgical procedure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein  Cocos nucifera  oil is administered prior to or after the extract or composition is administered.