Evaluation of the Effect of Aegle marmelos (Bael Leaf) Extract on Human Fibroblast Viability: An In Vitro Study

Aim To evaluate the biocompatibility of ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos (bael/vilvam) leaves with gingival fibroblast cells.  Materials and methods Commercially available bael leaves were used to produce a herbal ethanolic extract using the cold percolation technique. Evaluation of cytotoxicity of the bael leaf extract (BLE) on fibroblast cell line at six different concentrations (200µl/ml, 100µl/ml, 50µl/ml, 25µl/ml, 12.5µl/ml, 6.3µl/ml) was done using MTT assay. The concentration with most cell viability was then evaluated at different time points (one, two, four, six, 10 minutes) for viability in the same cell line. Results The results showed that the 6.3 µl/ml had the least cytotoxic effect on fibroblasts. The cell viability decreased as exposure to the extract increased (one minute to 10 minutes). Conclusion The ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos (bael) leaves exhibited minimal cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.3 µl/ml on gingival fibroblasts, with cell viability decreasing as exposure time increased.