Ox Horn Biocompatibility and Biosafety are Sufficient for Use in Clinical Orthopedics

Objective: Ox horn has been used to repair pathological bone defects. However, its biocompatibility has not been explored experimentally. Given its increasing use in medicine, we sought to evaluate the biosafety and biocompatibility of ox horn in vitro and in vivo to determine the feasibility of its application in clinical orthopedics. Methods: The biocompatibility of ox horn extracts was evaluated by assaying for cytotoxicity, hemolysis, acute toxicity, and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), and by implantation. Results: Compared with normal controls, the relative growth rate (RGR%) of L-929 cells treated with ox horn material was >90% with a toxicity grade of 0-1. The hemolysis rate of ox horn leaching liquor was 1.48%. No significant acute toxicity or delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was found in animals treated with ox horn material. X-ray monitoring demonstrated that ox horn material was ray transparent when implanted. Conclusion: Ox horn material demonstrates high biocompatibility and biosafety, and is suitable for clinical orthopedic applications.