Acemannan induces cementoblast proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix secretion, and mineral deposition

Abstract

Acemannan, a polysaccharide extract from Aloe vera gel, has been reported to induce oral wound healing and dentin regeneration in vitro and in vivo. However, the regenerative effect of acemannan on cementoblasts, cementum forming cells, has not been defined. In this study, we hypothesized acemannan would induce cementoblast proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix and growth factor secretion, and mineral deposition. An immortalized human cementoblast cell line (HCEM-2) was treated with acemannan in vitro. The de novo DNA synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen type I and vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteopontin expression were determined by [3H] thymidine incorporation, biochemical assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting, respectively. In vitro mineral nodule formation was determined on day 21 of incubation using alizarin red staining. Our study revealed acemannan at concentrations of 2, 4, and 8 mg/ml significantly stimulated cementoblast proliferation approximately 2.5 fold. Acemannan also significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity at day 3 and 6 of incubation. Expression of type I collagen, vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteopontin were significantly increased compared with the untreated group. At day 21, acemannan treatment markedly induced mineral deposition compared with the untreated group. These results suggest acemannan may be a possible therapeutic agent for cementum regeneration. Key words: Acemannan, cementoblast, differentiation, proliferation, mineralization.