An in vitro evaluation of ice apple water, Aloe vera, and propolis as a storage medium to preserve viability of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Abstract

A number of media that create the best possible conditions to maintain periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability after dental avulsion have been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate ice apple water (IAW), Aloe vera, and propolis as a storage medium to preserve the viability of human PDL fibroblasts. An in vitro comparative type of study was performed on a PDL cell culture model. PDL fibroblasts obtained from the roots of healthy premolars were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) and treated with ice apple water (IAW), 7% propolis extract (PE), 30% Aloe vera extract (AVE), positive control DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum, negative control (NC) without any agent, and incubated at 37°C for 1 h, 3 h, and 24 h. Cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay after every test period. Optical density was measured at a wavelength of 490 nm. The effects of the test storage media were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance test, followed by post hoc Tukey's multiple comparison test (P < 0.05). Seven percent PE demonstrated the highest capacity of maintaining PDL cell viability at 1 h and 24 h. IAW showed a statistically significantly lower percentage of viable cells at all three test periods as compared to 7% PE. After 3 h, 30% AVE demonstrated maximum viable cells. Within the limitations of this study, propolis at a concentration of 7% was the most effective medium for maintaining PDL cell viability.