Effects of Oral Catalpol on Alveolar Bone Regeneration in a Rat Model of Alveolar Ridge Preservation

Abstract This study investigated the effects of oral catalpol administration on alveolar bone regeneration in a rat model of alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) following tooth extraction. Fifty male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10/group): Extraction, ARP, ARP + Low-dose Catalpol (25 mg/kg), ARP + Medium-dose Catalpol (50 mg/kg), and ARP + High-dose Catalpol (100 mg/kg). ARP involved Bio-Oss grafting and membrane coverage. Five rats per group were euthanized at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. Bone microarchitecture was evaluated using micro-computed tomography, serum bone turnover markers were measured by ELISA, and tissue morphology was examined using Masson's trichrome staining. At 4 weeks, the ARP + High-dose Catalpol group exhibited significantly higher BMD, BV/TV, and Tb.N and lower Tb.Sp than the ARP group. At 8 weeks, BMD and BV/TV remained significantly higher in the ARP + High-dose Catalpol group. Catalpol administration was associated with increased serum BALP and OCN levels and decreased CTX-I levels. Histological observations suggested enhanced bone formation following catalpol treatment. These findings suggest that oral catalpol may promote alveolar bone regeneration following ARP, with the greatest improvements observed at 100 mg/kg.