Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Calcium Hydroxide Combined with Ellagic Acid as Pulp Capping Material: In Vivo Study

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Research
• Immunology

Background:

• Calcium hydroxide is a standard pulp capping material but can cause chronic inflammation and pulp necrosis.
• Ellagic acid, a natural compound, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may mitigate calcium hydroxide-induced inflammation.
• Preserving pulp vitality is crucial for long-term dental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the inflammatory response to a combination of calcium hydroxide and ellagic acid for pulp capping.
• To analyze changes in neutrophil, macrophage, lymphocyte, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression.
• To evaluate the potential of ellagic acid as an adjunct to calcium hydroxide to sustain pulp vitality.

Main Methods:

• Dental pulp perforations were created in Wistar rats' molars.
• Pulp capping was performed using calcium hydroxide with ellagic acid, calcium hydroxide alone (positive control), or no capping (control).
• Immune cell counts (neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes) and TNF-α expression were assessed at 1, 3, and 7 days post-treatment using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test.

Main Results:

• The calcium hydroxide and ellagic acid combination demonstrated the lowest neutrophil count and TNF-α expression (p < 0.05).
• This combination also showed the highest macrophage and lymphocyte counts compared to other groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Calcium hydroxide and ellagic acid exhibit a dual effect on dental pulp's inflammatory response.
• The findings suggest a complex modulation of inflammation, potentially leading to a more controlled and beneficial healing process.
• This combination shows promise for improving pulp capping outcomes by managing inflammation.