Pulpotomy with curcumin: Histological comparison with mineral trioxide aggregate in rats

Context: It is important to develop new therapeutic materials that have requisite clinical actions, are safe and economical. Aims: This study aims to histologically evaluate curcumin, an extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa) as a pulpotomy agent in rat molars and to compare it to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Settings and Design: Animal study. Subjects and Methods: Twelve Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into two groups of 6 each. Pulpotomies were performed on caries free maxillary first and second molars on both sides of the arch, with MTA and curcumin (24 teeth each), respectively. Access cavities were sealed with resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Postoperative histological evaluation of pulpotomized teeth in both groups was done at 7, 14, and 30 days under a light microscope (×10). Statistical Analysis Used: Data were evaluated with Freidman's test and Mann-Whitney test at 0.05 level. Results: (a) There was a gradual reduction in inflammatory cell response in both groups across time periods tested (MTA P = 0.074, curcumin P = 0.039). (b) The overall architecture of pulp was maintained better in the curcumin group across all time periods tested (P = 0.368). (c) Dentinal bridge formation was consistently seen across time periods tested in MTA group (P = 0.9094) and was feeble in curcumin group (P = 0.9094) across time periods tested. Conclusions: Curcumin has been shown to have wound healing properties. It has the potential to be developed into a predictable and cost-effective vital pulp therapy medicament.