Efeito do extrato de própolis verde na movimentação ortodôntica: estudo experimental in vivo

Abstract

The study of the influence of substances on orthodontic tooth movement has increasingly attracted interest within the scientific community. Among these substances, green propolis, a widely consumed natural product, has shown beneficial effects on bone tissue. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of green propolis extract, administered orally at different concentrations, on orthodontic tooth movement in rats. The experiment, conducted according to the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines, included 48 healthy Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus), aged 7–10 weeks and weighing 250 g, subjected to orthodontic tooth movement using a nickel-titanium helical spring (50 cN) placed between the upper left first molar and maxillary incisors. The animals received green propolis extract orally (via gavage) for 21 days. Anticipating a potential loss of up to 20% of the animals, the study was completed with 40 rats randomized into four groups: control (GC, water), experimental group 1 (P1, propolis 100 mg/kg), experimental group 2 (P2, propolis 300 mg/kg), and experimental group 3 (P3, propolis 500 mg/kg). Micro-computed tomography (Micro CT) analysis was performed, including linear parameters (mesial movement, vertical movement, and periodontal ligament thickness) and volumetric parameters (bone volume, porosity, and trabeculae), with no significant differences observed between the groups (p>0.05) according to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Morphological analysis assessed the intensity of inflammatory infiltrate on the tension side (p>0.05) and periodontal phenomena on the pressure side (p<0.05), to which scores were assigned using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Green propolis extract did not affect bone structure but had effects on the microstructure of the periodontal ligament on the pressure side. The study suggests that green propolis extract may preserve bone quality during orthodontic tooth movement in this experimental model.