Effects of resveratrol-enriched endodontic sealants on pulp stem cell viability and collagen production

Root canal sealers should provide effective sealing while remaining biocompatible with periapical tissues. Strategies to further improve their biological performance are desirable. Resveratrol, a bioactive polyphenol with antioxidant and regenerative properties, may enhance cellular responses and tissue repair, representing a promising adjunct for endodontic materials.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cell viability and type I collagen expression in undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell cultures exposed to EndoSequence BC bioceramic or AH Plus resin-based endodontic cements, with or without the addition of resveratrol.

Cement specimens were prepared in standardized molds (5 mm × 2 mm), allowed to set for 48 hours, sterilized, and conditioned in culture medium at a concentration of 0.2 g/mL at 37 °C. Resveratrol was added to the culture media at concentrations of 0.25 μM and 0.5 μM. The mesenchymal cell cultures were exposed to the different experimental conditions for 24, 48 and 72 hours, after which viability was assessed by MTT assay, and type I collagen secretion was quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

EndoSequence BC demonstrated significantly greater cell viability than AH Plus (p<0.05). At 48 hours, AH Plus combined with 0.5 μM resveratrol showed significantly greater cell viability than the cement alone and the 0.25 μM resveratrol group (p<0.05). In addition, supplementation with 0.5 μM resveratrol significantly increased type I collagen secretion for both cements compared to the corresponding groups without resveratrol (p<0.05), indicating a positive effect on extracellular matrix production.

These findings suggest that resveratrol is a promising additive for improving the bioactivity of endodontic cements, enhancing collagen production and potentially contributing to tissue regeneration and bone repair.