A Bioinspired Approach to Mechanically Reinforce Collagen-Rich Tissues Using Modularly Defined Stilbenoids

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Research
• Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

• Natural products, especially plant compounds, are key sources for novel dental biomaterials.
• Stilbenoids, a class of plant-derived polyphenols, offer potential for modulating dental tissues.
• Understanding their interaction with collagen is crucial for developing effective dental treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanical reinforcement and bioactivity of modularly defined stilbenoids (MoDS) in dentin.
• To evaluate the ability of MoDS to interact with type I collagen and improve dentin's mechanical properties.
• To assess the biocompatibility and long-term stability of MoDS as dental biomodulators.

Main Methods:

• Demineralized human molar dentin was treated with monomeric (resveratrol) and oligomeric (dimers: ε-viniferin, ampelopsin A; tetramers: vitisin A, vitisin B) MoDS.
• Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measured viscoelastic properties over six months.
• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) assessed biochemical changes, and cell viability assays determined biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Oligomeric MoDS significantly enhanced dentin viscoelasticity, with vitisin B increasing the E* modulus 17-fold.
• FTIR confirmed permanent collagen modifications in dentin treated with oligomeric MoDS, unlike resveratrol.
• All MoDS demonstrated high biocompatibility, with vitisin B showing the highest cell viability.
• Mechanical improvements were stable over the six-month study period.

Conclusions:

• Modularly defined stilbenoids, particularly oligomers, improve dentin mechanical properties and stability via structure-dependent collagen cross-linking.
• These findings highlight the potential of MoDS as durable, bioinspired biomodulators for dental applications.
• Vitisin B shows promising potential for developing advanced dental restorative materials.