The effect of liposomal ellagic acid on the biological properties of dental restorative materials: An in vitro comparative study

This study investigated whether incorporating liposomal ellagic acid (LEA) could enhance the biological performance of two common dental restorative materials. LEA nanoparticles were synthesized and applied (10 μg/mL) to nano-glass ionomer and nano-dental cement discs. Human gingival fibroblasts were used to assess cytocompatibility, cell adhesion, inflammatory cytokine production, and oxidative stress. LEA-modified materials maintained over 96% cell viability, increased adhesion by 1.3-fold at day 3, and markedly reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels compared to unmodified controls. Oxidative stress markers, including reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, were significantly decreased in treated groups. A sustained release profile (56% at 72 h) confirmed stable delivery from the restorative matrix. These findings suggest that LEA incorporation may enhance the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profile of restorative materials while enhancing biocompatibility, supporting its potential as a bioactive additive for next-generation therapeutic restoratives.