A castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)-derived implant improves the biomechanical properties of noncritical bone defects

PURPOSE: The biomechanical properties of the polyurethanes implant material derived from castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) were evaluated in a noncritical bone defect model in rat tibia. METHODS: After three weeks of the implant application, the tibias were tested by means of the biomechanical three-point flexion test and resistance, rigidity, energy at maximum load and maximum energy were evaluated. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: It was found that the group that received the implant behaved the same as the intact control group and also showed a significant increase in maximum load compared to the spontaneous repair group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the tibias with the implant material in a noncritical bone defect recover normal biomechanical parameters in less time than spontaneously.