The cytotoxicity test of calcium hydroxide, propolis, and calcium hydroxide-propolis combination in human pulp...

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) is the gold standard material used for pulp-capping but still has a high failure rate. Thus, an alternative material is needed, one of which is propolis. The combination of Ca(OH)₂propolis is expected to have better quality and to be biocompatible. The aim of this study is to investigate the viability of human pulp fibroblast after the administration of Ca(OH)₂, propolis, and its combination. Human pulp fibroblast culture derived from premolar teeth of 16-year-old patients, were divided into seven groups: Group 1 (10 μg Ca(OH)₂); Group 2 (10 μg propolis); Group 3 (15 μg propolis); Group 4 (20 μg propolis); Group 5 (Ca(OH)₂-propolis 1:1); Group 6 (Ca(OH)₂-propolis 1:1.5); and Group 7 (calcium hydroxide-propolis 1:2). They were placed in a 96 wells plate and put into incubator for 24 h. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test was conducted to calculate the viability of human pulp fibroblasts. The data were analyzed statistically using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Levene's test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey-honestly significant difference (P < 0.05). The number of living human pulp fibroblast after the administration of Ca(OH)₂and propolis combination is greater than the application of Ca(OH)₂or propolis with significant different between groups (P < 0.05). The viability of human pulp fibroblasts after the administration of Ca(OH)₂-propolis combination is greater than that of the application of Ca(OH)₂and propolis alone.