Acemannan enhances the healing process in tooth socket of rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe vera gel on bone formation. Methods: Primary rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were treated with various concentrations of acemannan. New DNA synthesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), alkaline phosphatase activity, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) expression, and mineralization were determined by [³H] thymidine incorporation assay, ELISA, biochemical assay, western blotting and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. For in vivo study, the mandibular right incisors of male, 7-8 week olds Spaque-Dawley rats were extracted. Then acemannan sponge was placed in the mandibular incisor socket. After 1, 2, and 4 weeks of experiment, the lower jaws were dissected. Bone mineral density was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The histopathological evaluation was also performed. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation of each group. Group comparison was performed using ANOVA followed by post-hoc analysis. Significance was assumed at α level of 0.05. Results: Acemannan significantly increased the BMSCs proliferation, VEGF, BMP-2, alkaline phosphatase activity, BSP and OPN expression, and mineralization. The aceamnnan treated groups significantly increased bone mineral density as compared with untreated group. Histopathological evaluation revealed the higher new bone formation in acemannan treated group than that of control group. Conclusion: The data suggest that acemannan enhances new bone formation by stimulating BMSCs proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix formation, and mineralization.