Evaluation of the osteogenic potential of Hancornia speciosa latex in rat calvaria and its phytochemical profile

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hancornia speciosa Gomes, commonly known as Mangabeira, is a Brazilian native fruit tree belonging to the Apocynaceae family. In folk medicine, the latex obtained from Mangabeira's trunk has been used as an adjunct therapy for bone fractures. Few pharmacological studies on the Hancornia speciosa latex have been developed and despite its popular use for bone healing there is no data about its biological effect on bone.

Aim of the study: The present study aimed to investigate the osteogenic potential of Hancornia speciosa latex in rat calvaria, as well as its phytochemical profile.

Materials and methods: A neutral gel composition containing 5% latex was topical applied to a critical size bone defect and over intact calvaria of rats. Areas of newly formed bone on the borders of the defect and of calvaria periosteum were quantified, as well as the percentage of BrdU-positive cells and total cells in the periosteum at different periods of time after latex application. The cytotoxicity of the latex aqueous phase was evaluated in rat calvarial cells in vitro by MTT assay and its phytochemical profile was investigated by ESI-MS/MS.

Results: The area of newly formed bone on the borders of the calvaria defect was larger in rats that received latex at 15 and 30 days of healing. After 3 days of latex application over the intact calvaria, the periosteum area was increased and newly formed bone was observed after 5 and 11 days. There was also an increase in periosteum cell proliferation and population followed latex application on calvaria (p<0.05). The latex aqueous phase limited rat calvarial cell viability in vitro in concentrations larger than 0.6mg/mL. Chlorogenic acid and naringenin-7-O-glucoside were identified in the latex aqueous phase, along with catechin and procyanidin compounds.

Conclusion: There was a stimulus for periosteum cell proliferation and bone formation when Hancornia speciosa latex was topically applied on rat calvaria. In addition, chlorogenic acid and naringenin-7-O-glucoside present in Hancornia speciosa latex may contribute to its effects on bone formation.

Keywords: Bone healing; Hancornia speciosa; Latex; Osteogenic potential; Polyphenols.