Hancornia speciosa Gomes Latex Increases Bone Mineralization in Rats: A Preclinical Study^*

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the systemic effect of Hancornia speciosa latex on bone neoformation and mineralization in rats.

Methods

For that, the latex was first collected, and its composition was analyzed. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were used, which were simultaneously submitted to two surgical procedures: extraction of an incisor and creation of a defect with 2 mm in diameter in the parietal bone. The rats were divided into two groups: systemic control (SC) systemic latex (SX) which were administered, orally and daily, 1.5 mL of water or a solution containing 50% of water and 50% of latex by gavage, respectively. After 15 days of the treatment, the animals were euthanized and their samples were collected.

Results

The results were statistically analyzed, and the level of significance was set at 0.05. We showed that H. speciosa latex contained calcium. The oral and daily administration of the latex for 15 days increased the contents of calcium and phosphorus in the basal bone and newly-formed bone in the mandibular alveolus of rats.

Conclusion

The present was a pioneer study demonstrating the potential of H. speciosa latex in increasing bone mineralization. Our results may aid in the conception and development of a natural drug.

Keywords
apocynaceae; complementary therapies; histology; hydroxyapatites; scanning electron microscopy