The Potential Effect of Medicinal Plants for Cartilage Regeneration

*Franca Nneka Alaribe, Mapula Razwinani, Makwese Maepa and Keolebogile Shirley Caroline Motaung* 

## **Abstract**

Any trauma to a joint such as sports injury can lead to osteoarthritis especially injuries that include torn cartilage, dislocated joints and ligaments. In sports injury specifically, most of the ointments in the market are only applied after physical activity. Repair of the bone and cartilage continues to be a challenge. Autologous and allografts are the gold standard for the treatment of the bone and cartilage. They have an invasive, open surgical procedure that requires the tissue to be harvested from an alternative site within the patient. South Africa is rich in native flora that is currently tapped as medicine by traditional healers. However, little is known about the natural products of our native flora and their potential to serve as a remedy for sports injuries, fracture healing and osteoarthritis. The grand purpose of the project is to explore medicinal plants of South Africa as a potential source for bone and tissue engineering of articular cartilage.

**Keywords:** tissue engineering, anti-inflammatory, osteoarthritis, sports injury, medicinal plants
