Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on remineralization of dentine caries

Zhou Jing; Zhulidezi Tuoliebieke; Li Yi-ming; Wu Pei-ling

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Epigalocatechin galate can inhibit immune-inflammatory responses, and have anti-bacterial, anti-oxidation, anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer effects. <br> OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the natural medicine epigalocatechin galate on the remineralization of dentin caries through in vitro experiments. <br> METHODS: A total of 30 extracted teeth for orthodontic reason were randomly divided into three groups: experimental group, control group and blank control group. After dentin caries were induced by lactic acid gel, the extracted teeth were immersed into 2 g/L epigalocatechin galate solution, saturated Ca(OH)2 and artificial saliva, respectively, for 12 days. After treatments, the morphological structure of dentin surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope, and the micro hardness of dentin surfaces was measured in three groups. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The microhardness of remineralized dentin surfaces was ranged as folows: control group > experimental group > blank control group, and there were significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). This indicated that epigalocatechin galate and Ca(OH)2 were better than the artificial saliva in the dentine remineralization, and moreover, epigalocatechin galate was inferior to Ca(OH)2 in the dentine remineralization. Under the scanning electron microscope, there were a lot of sediments on the dentin surfaces of the control group, but the dentinal tubule openings were not seen; the sediments of the experimental group were also seen on the dentine surfaces, and the surfaces were even; the least sediments were found in the blank control group, and there were some dentinal tubule openings that were not covered by sediments. The results of scanning electron microscope qualitatively demonstrate that the epigalocatechin galate can promote the dentine remineralization.