Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and biological properties of Ambroxol associated with glycerin (GLI), propylene glycol (PG), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a possible vehicle for an experimental tricalcium silicate sealer, with the intention of developing a new biomaterial. Mouse undifferentiated dental pulp cells (OD-21) were cultured, and the effects of different association on cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production were investigated. Antimicrobial adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis to setting sealers at 2 h was evaluated. Polyethylene tubes containing experimental sealers and empty tubes were implanted into dorsal connective tissues of 12 male 3- to 4-months-old Wistar rats (250–280 g). After 7 and 30 days, the tubes were removed and processed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction and ANOVA followed by Tukey test was used for parametric data and Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn for nonparametric (p < 0.05). Cell proliferation was dose-dependent, since all association were cytotoxic at higher concentrations; however, Ambroxol–PEG showed significantly higher cytotoxicity than other association (p < 0.05). In addition, irrespective of the association, no cytokine production was observed in vitro. Ambroxol–GLI reduced bacterial viability, whereas Ambroxol–PEG increased (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed no significant difference in the inflammatory response (p > 0.05) and mineralization ability in all association. Additionally, IL-1β and TNF-α were upregulated on Ambroxol–PEG in relation to Control at 07 days (p < 0.05). Ambroxol–GLI was the best vehicle for experimental tricalcium silicate sealer, as it promoted an increase in antimicrobial activity without altering the inflammatory response or mineralization ability.
Highlights
In the last few decades, there has been a significant improvement in the development of new biomaterials, such as tricalcium silicate-based sealers
Cell proliferation was dose-dependent, as exposure to lower dilutions promoted a reduction in cell metabolism when compared with the control group at all times evaluated (p < 0.05), except for 1⁄4 dilution of Ambroxol–GLI and Ambroxol–propylene glycol (PG), which exhibited increased cell growth at 24 h of 32 and 44%, respectively (p < 0.05)
Exposure to higher dilutions (1/8, 1/16, 1/32) of Ambroxol–GLI stimulated a raise in proliferation rate of 60; 56; 53%, respectively; Ambroxol–PG of 48; 41; 54%, respectively; and Ambroxol–polyethylene glycol (PEG) of 45; 41; 38%, respectively at 24 h (p < 0.05); there was a decrease at 48 h in the Ambroxol–PEG 1/8 dilution (81%) (p < 0.05) (Fig. 1)
Summary
In the last few decades, there has been a significant improvement in the development of new biomaterials, such as tricalcium silicate-based sealers. Tricalcium silicate-based sealers are known for their satisfactory biological and physicochemical properties. They exhibit antibacterial activity, with this property exhibited after setting, depending on the sealer’s ability to release hydroxyl ions and raise pH values [1]. These sealers are basically powder/liquid mixtures, where the powder contains the main constituents of the material, and the liquid is the vehicle for dissolving the constituents [2]. It is relevant to report that setting time, ionic dissociation, tissue response, and ability to deliver materials into dentinal tubules can depend on the vehicles utilized [4, 6, 7]
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