Objectives: Proanthocyanidins (PAs) have been widely used as effective agents for dentin collagen cross-linking to enhance the biomechanics and biostability of dentin in vitro. However, the effects and protective mechanisms of various tea root-derived PA components on dentin remain undefined. This study evaluated the effects of these tea root-derived PA components on dentin biomechanics and biostability.
Methods: In this study, ethyl acetate and n-butyl alcohol were used to extract PAs with different degrees of polymerization from tea roots; the effects of these PA extracts on dentin were evaluated.
Results: Dentin was treated with glutaraldehyde, ethyl acetate, n-butyl alcohol, or water. PAs with a high degree of polymerization, extracted using n-butyl alcohol, were able to more effectively improve dentin collagen cross-linking, increase resistance to bacterial collagenase digestion, and enhance dentin elasticity, relative to treatment with glutaraldehyde or PAs with a low degree of polymerization (extracted using ethyl acetate). Additionally, treatment with aqueous extract of tea roots was detrimental to dentin stability and function.
Conclusions: PAs with a high degree of polymerization were effective for dentin protection and restoration in vitro, suggesting clinical treatment potential for tea root-derived PAs.
Keywords: 1-butanol; Proanthocyanidins; collagen cross-linking; collagenase digestion; dentin collagen; dentin elasticity; ethyl acetate; glutaraldehyde; organic extraction; tea root.