This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and bioactivity of a novel nanocomposite containing nanoparticles of bioactive glass (nBGs) on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). nBGs were synthesized by the sol-gel method. Biodentine (BD) nanocomposites (nBG/BD) were prepared with 2 and 5% wt of nBG content; unmodified BD and glass ionomer cement were used as references. Cell viability and attachment were evaluated after 3, 7 and 14 days. Odontogenic differentiation was assessed with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity after 7 and 14 days of exposure. Cells successfully adhered and proliferated on nBG/BD nanocomposites, cell viability of nanocomposites was comparable with unmodified BD and higher than GIC. nBG/BD nanocomposites were, particularly, more active to promote odontogenic differentiation, expressed as higher ALP activity of hDPSCs after 7 days of exposure, than neat BD or GIC. This novel nanocomposite biomaterial, nBG/BD, allowed hDPSC attachment and proliferation and increased the expression of ALP, upregulated in mineral-producing cells. These findings open opportunities to use nBG/BD in vital pulp therapies.
Keywords: apatite-forming ability; bioactive glass; bioactivity; nanocomposites.