Protective Effects of Bauhinia forficata on Bone Biomechanics in a Type 2 Diabetes Model

The use of herbal medicines has gained popularity, both in science and among the public, as a natural alternative for the treatment of numerous diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate peri-implant and long bone biomechanics in type 2 diabetic animals, treated or not with Bauhinia forficata. Methods: Thirty-two rats were allocated into four groups: normoglycemic (NG), normoglycemic + Bauhinia forficata (NGBf), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and T2D + Bauhinia forficata (T2DBf). Diabetes was induced using a cafeteria diet and streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Bauhinia forficata tea (50 g/L) was administered to the NGBf and T2DBf groups. After 14 days, titanium implants were installed in the tibial metaphysis of all animals. Biomechanical analysis (removal torque), computerized microtomography, three-point bending test, confocal microscopy, and real-time PCR were performed. The results were tabulated, and a statistical test was conducted with a significance level of 5%. Results: Bauhinia forficata significantly improved the weight and blood glucose levels of the animals. In terms of biomechanics and the microarchitecture of long bones, T2D did not impair bone metabolism, and the use of the therapy did not cause significant changes in the parameters evaluated. However, T2D promoted significant impairment in the structural, biomechanical, and molecular characteristics of the peri-implant repair process, and the use of Bauhinia forficata increased the parameters evaluated in T2DBf. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly compromises peri-implant bone repair, with no influence on the metabolism of long bones, and Bauhinia forficata acts positively on both the etiopathogenesis of the disease and the tissue response to bone repair.