“Efficacy of cytotoxic effect of green tea catechins on the human periodontal fibroblasts and human dental pulp fibroblasts -An in vitro study”

BACKGROUND: Inflammation of tooth-supporting tissue and the pulp tissue is followed by wound healing and regeneration process that involves the specific type of connective tissue cells, the fibroblasts. During periodontitis and pulpitis, the inflammation of the tissue causes damage to the fibroblasts. These fibroblasts secrete collagen proteins and maintain the structural framework; along with this the inflammatory process moves toward healing where in the specific cells such as the fibroblast cells play important roles. Green tea catechins epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) being one of the major catechins is known to have multiple beneficial effects on human fibroblasts. OBJECTIVE: To assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of green tea catechins on the human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts and human dental pulp fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human PDL fibroblasts (hPDLFs) and human dental pulp fibroblasts were isolated from the two extracted premolar teeth that were indicated for orthodontic treatment. The fibroblasts were then seeded in 96 well tissue culture plate for cell viability study. EGCG was used at different concentration to treat the cells. After 48 h; (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) (MTT) assay was performed to determine the cell viability. RESULTS: The vitality of hPDLFs and human dental pulp fibroblasts was found to be inversely proportional to EGCG concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: hPDLFs have shown 37% proliferation at lowest concentration of EGCG used and human dental pulp fibroblasts have shown 99% viability at lowest concentration of EGCG used.