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Published on: January 12, 2017
Effects of Mauli Banana Stem Extract, Alone or Combined with Calcium Hydroxide, on DMP-1 Expression and Dentin Bridge
Dewi Puspitasari1,2, Ika Kustiyah Oktaviyanti3, Maharani Laillyza Apriasari4
1Doctoral Program, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia.
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of Mauli banana stem extract (MBSE), used alone or in combination with calcium hydroxide, on DMP-1 expression and dentin bridge thickness following direct pulp capping in rat molars.
Materials And Methods:
This study used a post-test control group experimental design involving mechanically exposed maxillary first molars in Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 5 per group), with one maxillary first molar treated in each animal. MBSE (Musa acuminata) was obtained through 70% ethanol maceration, concentrated by rotary evaporation, and prepared as a 50% extract. The exposed molars were treated with propylene glycol (control), calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], 50% MBSE, or a combination of MBSE and Ca(OH)2. The animals were euthanized at 14 and 28 days posttreatment. Dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) expression was assessed by immunohistochemically, and dentin bridge thickness was quantified from hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections using Image Raster software.
Statistical Analysis:
Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference post-hoc test, with significance set at p <0.05.
Results:
DMP-1 expression increased significantly across all experimental groups at both 14 and 28 days (p < 0.05), with the highest expression observed in the MBSE group at day 28. A time-dependent increase in dentin bridge thickness was also observed, with the MBSE and MBSE + Ca(OH)2 groups showing greater thickness than the Ca(OH)2 group. Nevertheless, dentin bridge thickness did not differ significantly between the MBSE and MBSE + Ca(OH)2 groups at day 28 (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
MBSE, alone and in combination with calcium hydroxide, promoted reparative responses following direct pulp capping. The combination group showed enhanced mineralization-related activity and dentin bridge formation, whereas MBSE alone also demonstrated promising bioactive potential. Additional studies incorporating early inflammatory time points and complementary outcome measures are warranted.
