The Role of Graphene and BiodentineTM on Proliferation and Odontoblastic Differentiation of Pulp Stem Cells

Objective: The need for new biomaterials with biocompatibility, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties continues in regenerative endodontic clinical applications in dentistry. Biodentine™ is successfully used in vital pulp therapies and has regenerative effects. Additionally, graphene, which possesses good physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties, promotes cellular biomineralization and osteogenic differentiation in dentistry, along with its neuroregenerative effect. This study aims to investigate the effects of graphene and Biodentine™ on cell proliferation, oxidative stress, and odontogenic differentiation in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Methods: Cryopreserved hDPSCs purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were used in our study (Cat No: PT-5025). hDPSCs were seeded into the E-plate wells and subsequently four different doses of graphene (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml) and Biodentine™ (2, 4, 8 and 16 µg/ml) were added. Results of MTT, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) tests were obtained at the end of the 24th hr. 96 hr-real time cell index data were collected with xCELLigence® system. Resulting data were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: 12.5 µg/ml graphene and 2 µg/ml Biodentine™ were found to be the subgroups with the highest levels of cell proliferation and the lowest oxidative stress. Antioxidative effect was determined in all Biodentine™ doses but only in 12.5 µg/ml graphene. Odontogenic differentiation was observed in all doses of graphene and Biodentine™. Conclusion: 12.5 µg/ml graphene and 2 µg/ml Biodentine™ were observed to have positive impacts on the proliferation, oxidative stress and odontogenic differentiations of hDPSCs. Keywords: Cell proliferation. Graphene. Oxidative stress. Odontogenic differentiation. Tricalcium silicate