Effects of Acemannan on Dentin Formation in Rat

Acemannan, aloe vera gel polysaccharide, has been reported its cytocompatibility and wound healing inducer. Objectives: To investigate effect of acemannan on dentin formation, in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Primary human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) were treated with various concentrations of acemannan. New DNA synthesis, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, dentin sialoprotein (DSP) expression and minerealization were determined by [³H]-thymidine incorporation, ELISA, biochemical assay, western blotting and Alizarin red staining, respectively. After that, upper first molars of 24 male Spaque Dawley rats were intentionally exposed, and capped with either acemannan or calcium hydroxide. At day 28, teeth were histopathologically examined and evaluated the degree of inflammation, dentin bridge formation and pulp tissue organization. Results: Acemannan significantly increased proliferation, BMP-2 expression, ALPase activity, DSP and mineralization as compared to untreated group. From histopathological evaluation, acemannan-treated group had complete homogenous calcified dentin bridge and well pulp tissue organization (7 of 8 teeth), while neither calcium hydroxide-treated group nor sham group had detected. Acemannan-treated group found none or mild inflammation, while the other groups had varies stages of inflammation. Conclusions: Our data suggest acemannan induces dentin formation by stimulating hDPCs proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix formation and mineralization. Acemannan promotes well pulpal biocompatibility and soft tissue organization.