Objective       To observe the changes of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7)

trans-forming growth factor-β

1

(TGF-β

1

) and basic fibroblast growt

h factor (bFGF) during the healing of fracture in rabbits treated with Danshen injection (an injection containing Salvia miltiorrhiza extract).       Methods      Seventy-two New Zealand White rabbits were made into fracture models and were randomly divided into an experimental group (Danshen injection

2 mL/d for 28 d) and a control group (normal saline

2 mL/d for 28 d). The healing of fracture was evaluated by X-ray and the serum levels of BMP-7

TGF-β

1

and bFGF were determined by ELISA at 1

2

3

4

6 and 8 weeks after the operation. Tissues of fracture region were stained by HE staining

and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of BMP-7

TGF-β

1

and bFGF.       Results      X-ray results showed that as compared with the control group

bone union appeared earlier and more bone callus formed in the experimental group at 3 and 4 weeks. HE staining results showed that more bone callus formed and more osteoblasts and osteoclasts appeared at 3 and 4 weeks in the experimental group than in the control group. ELISA results showed the serum levels of BMP-7 (4 weeks)

TGF-β

1

(2 weeks) and bFGF (3 weeks) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group

while immunohistochemical staining displayed that the expression levels of BMP-7 (3 weeks)

TGF-β

1

(2 weeks) and bFGF (3 weeks) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.       Conclusion      Danshen injection can upregulate the expression of BMP-7

TGF-β

1

and bFGF during the healing of fracture.