Cissus quadrangularis extract stimulated mineralized nodules of dental pulp cells

Objective: Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) has been used to promote bone healing for several decades. The effect of CQ on dental pulp cells has not been reported. The study was aimed to investigate a stimulatory effect of CQ on mineralized nodules of dental pulp cells. Methods: CQ extract of 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.02% weight by volume, prepared from dried CQ leaves, was used to apply on RPC-C2A, a clonal cell line from dental pulp of the rat incisor. With a specific conditioned medium, RPC-C2A could produce mineralization-like nodules in the cell culture system. The cell number was counted by hemocytometer, and mineralized nodules was determined by alizarin red staining. Results: All CQ-treated groups showed higher cell number than the control group on day 3 (p < .05): the 0.01% CQ group showed the highest. On day 5, mineralized nodules were found only in the control and 0.01% CQ groups: the area of mineralization in the 0.01% CQ group was wider than the control. While the RPC-C2A cells of all groups produced mineralized nodules on day 7, the widest area of mineralization was of the 0.01% CQ. Conclusion: CQ extract of 0.01% seems to promote dental pulp cells proliferation and stimulates mineralization of dental pulp cells. 8.9.92.133 on 6-29-2011-->