Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sesame oil on proliferation and function of periodontal ligament fibroblasts isolated from either healthy teeth or teeth with chronic periodontitis.
Design: The current study included a total of 16 teeth. Eight periodontally healthy teeth indicated for extraction for orthodontic treatment and 8 teeth with chronic periodontitis. Fibroblasts were isolated from periodontal ligaments and were characterized via flowcytometry. Cultured cells from both healthy and diseased teeth, were then divided into two groups, sesame oil group treated by sesame oil in a dose 2.5 μl of oil/ml of media at 24 hours and untreated group which served as control. MTT assay was used to assess fibroblasts' proliferation while quantitative PCR was used for quantification of basic fibroblast growth factor to assess fibroblasts' function.
Results: Within the present study, the highest mean cell proliferation value was recorded in group 2 (healthy treated with oil) while the lowest value was recorded in group 3 (periodontitis) with statistically significant difference between groups. The highest mean basic fibroblast growth factor expression was recorded in group 4 (periodontitis treated with oil) and the lowest value was recorded in group 3 (periodontitis) with statistically significant difference between groups demonstrating that sesame oil possesses a positive effect on fibroblasts proliferation and function.
Conclusion: Sesame oil is a promising biocompatible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural extract that can stimulate periodontal ligament fibroblasts proliferation and function through increasing basic fibroblast growth factor expression in vitro and therefore it may hold the potential to enhance periodontal regeneration in vivo.