Cytocompatibility and influence on dentin permeability of galactomannan from Caesalpinia ferrea seeds

To investigate the effects of galactomannan extracted from Caesalpinia ferrea seeds on dentin permeability and its cytocompatibility with oral cells.

Sixty dentin discs were treated with EDTA for 5 min and, after determining maximum permeability, randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12): distilled water (DW), potassium oxalate (PO), 1% juca seed galactomannan (JSG1), and 2% juca seed galactomannan (JSG2). Dentin permeability was measured again after treatment and after a 5-day erosive-abrasive cycle (four daily immersions in 0.3% citric acid for 5 min, followed by 60 min in artificial saliva, with brushing after the first and last challenges). Treatments were reapplied daily. The percentage of dentin permeability (%Lp) was calculated relative to maximum permeability. Surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cytotoxicity was tested in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni test (p < 0.05).

After treatment, no significant differences in permeability were observed among groups (p > 0.05). Following cycling, JSG2 showed significantly lower permeability than DW (p < 0.05). Only DW exhibited a significant increase in permeability over time (p < 0.05). SEM images revealed that PO and JSG2 maintained partially obliterated tubules even after cycling. Cytotoxicity assays showed cell viability near 100% for HGF and 88% for DPSC at the highest juca seed galactomannan (JSG) concentration, confirming cytocompatibility.

JSG at 2% concentration partially occluded dentinal tubules, preserved dentin permeability under erosive-abrasive conditions, and demonstrated cytocompatibility with HGF and DPSC.