Objectives: Evaluate the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of calcium hydroxide paste [Ca (OH)2] associated with 5% diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, or amoxicillin.
Materials and methods: Pre-osteoblast-like cells were cultivated and the MTT test was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the paste extracts after time intervals of 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 days. Tubes containing Ca (OH)2 pastes associated with the drugs and empty tubes were implanted in subcutaneous tissue of 30 rats. After 7 and 30 days, the specimens were removed and submitted to histological analysis. The data obtained were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p ≤ 0.05).
Results: All the Ca (OH)2 pastes promoted cell viability after all periods. At 7 days, there was greater inflammatory tissue reaction adjacent to the implants. At 30 days, there was a significant reduction in the number of inflammatory cells, and increase in fibroblasts in all groups. In this period, a lower number of inflammatory cells and a higher number of fibroblasts were observed in the capsules adjacent to the association with diclofenac, when compared with the other mixtures (p ≤ 0.05); the capsule thickness was greater at 7 days than at 30 days.
Conclusions: The Ca (OH)2 pastes associated with the drugs were not cytotoxic and presented biocompatibility after implantation in rat subcutaneous tissues.
Clinical relevance: Ca (OH)2 pastes with anti-inflammatory or antibiotic may be clinical alternatives as intracanal medication to reduce resistant microorganisms in root canal system.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antibiotic agents; Biocompatibility; Calcium hydroxide; Cytotoxicity.