Extrato antioxidante natural do cacau (Theobroma cacao L.) em diferentes veículos reduz a erosão dentinária in vitro?

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the anti-erosive potential of a solution and an experimental toothpaste enriched with natural antioxidants derived from cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) on eroded dentin in vitro. The cocoa beans went through a process of fermentation, drying, roasting and grinding, followed by freeze-drying and obtaining aqueous cocoa extract. The extract was analyzed for total polyphenols and antioxidant potential using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) assay. After, an active ingredient-free toothpaste was developed and enriched with the concentrated cocoa-based polyphenol solution. The antioxidant potential of toothpaste enriched by DPPH. Eighty bovine dentin samples were pre-eroded in citric acid solution and randomized into three groups (n=20): G1 (Negative control) – toothpaste without active ingredients; G2 – concentrated cocoa-based polyphenol solution; G3: experimental toothpaste enriched with a concentrated cocoa-based polyphenol solution; and G4 (Positive control) – Elmex Protect anti-erosive commercial toothpaste (Colgate). After applying the materials, the erosive challenges were performed for 3 days, the eroded dentine surface loss (dSL-eroded) was determined by optical profilometer. The amount of degraded collagen (dColl) was calculated as the difference between (dSL-eroded) and (dSL-total - by immersing them individually in a saline solution containing type VII collagenase). Total calcium release (CaR) were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometer. Additionally, qualitative surface analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05). The results showed that the cocoa extract presented a higher value of total polyphenols when compared to the toothpaste enriched with cocoa extract (p = 0.037). The antioxidant activity data showed a significant decrease when the toothpaste was manipulated (p = 0.025). Group G2 exhibited the lowest values for total dSL-eroded, dColl, and dSL-total when compared to other groups (p< 0.05). Group G2 exhibited the lowest values for calcium released to the citric acid (p< 0.05). In the SEM images, G3 showed dentine surface topography pattern with the presence of partially or total occluded dentinal tubules after treatments. This study demonstrated that the cocoa extract exhibited a higher total polyphenol content compared to the toothpaste enriched with cocoa extract. The proposed experimental solution showed an anti-erosive effect, preventing both organic and inorganic wear of dentin and promoting partial obliteration of dentinal tubules.