Anti-inflammatory efficacy of petasin-incorporated zinc oxide eugenol sealer – An in vivo zebrafish study

BACKGROUND: The eugenol from zinc oxide eugenol (ZnOE) sealer tends to diffuse to the periapical region resulting in inflammation. Several modifications of ZnOE sealer have been formulated to minimize the inflammatory potential of the ZnOE sealer. Petasites hybridus contains petasin which possesses anti-inflammatory property used in treatment of migraine and allergic rhinitis. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of petasin-incorporated ZnOE sealer on zebrafish. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (SRMU/MandHS/SRMDC/2018/S/025) and by the in-house Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) of Pentagrit Research Lab and conducted with compliance to ICH harmonization and principles for animal housing and handling (IAEC Study No: 215/Go06/IAEC). The samples were implanted in the caudal portion of the zebrafish. The samples (n = 50) were divided into five groups (n = 10) – Group 1: incision only (negative control), Group 2: zinc oxide (ZnO) (positive control), Group 3: ZnO + eugenol and petasin in ratio of 10:1, Group 4: ZnO + eugenol and petasin in ratio of 5:1, and Group 5: ZnO + eugenol and petasin in ratio of 1:1. The experimental groups were further subdivided into two subgroups based on time intervals at 24 h and 48 h. The tissue samples were assessed using smear pathology test, and the percentage of inflammation was evaluated. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0 with a significance level fixed as 5% (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The presence of inflammatory cells and congestion of arterioles were taken as the criteria to assess inflammatory action. It was maximum in ZnOE sealer followed by ZnOE sealer modified with the addition of petasin to eugenol in the ratio of 10:1, 5:1, and 1:1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The addition of petasin extract to ZnOE reduces the inflammation potential of ZnOE sealers. ZnOE sealer containing eugenol and petasin in the ratio of 1:1 showed a maximal reduction in inflammation.