Biocompatibility and odontogenic potential of an indigenous apitherapeutic pulp capping agent: A comparative in vitro
Ketaki Turbatmath1, S Delphine Priscilla Antony1, Raghunandhakumar Subramanian2
1Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, 600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
Introduction:
This study aimed to evaluate the cytocompatibility and odonto-inductive potential of an indigenously developed apitherapeutic pulp capping agent Api-Therapeutic Pulp Guard (ATPG) by assessing cell viability and dentinogenic gene expression using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).
Materials And Methods:
hDPSCs were exposed to eluates of ATPG and compared with calcium hydroxide (RC-Cal) and control. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability, LIVE/DEAD staining was performed using calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) evaluated DSPP gene expression. This comprehensive approach provided complementary insights into cell metabolic activity, membrane integrity, and odontogenic potential of the test materials.
Results:
ATPG exhibited high cell viability (96.52 %), significantly greater than calcium hydroxide (84.25 %) (p < 0.01). LIVE/DEAD assay confirmed better membrane integrity with a predominance of green (live) stained cells. qPCR showed a 3.6-fold upregulation of DSPP gene expression in ATPG-treated cells, suggesting strong odontogenic differentiation.
Conclusion:
The ATPG formulation demonstrated superior biocompatibility and odontogenic potential compared to conventional calcium hydroxide, underscoring its promise for translation in regenerative endodontic therapy.
