title: The effect of Aloe vera gel on viability of dental pulp stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can play a prominent role in tissue regeneration. Aloe vera L. (Liliaceae) contains the polysaccharide of acemannan that was shown to be a trigger factor for cell proliferation, differentiation, mineralization, and dentin formation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine the viability of DPSCs in Aloe vera in comparison with Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve rabbits underwent anesthesia, and their incisor teeth were extracted; the pulp tissue was removed, chopped, treated with collagenase and plated in culture flasks. DPSCs from passage 3 were cultured in 24-well plates, and after 3 days, the culture media changed to 10, 25, 50, and 100% concentrations of Aloe vera at intervals of 45 and 90 min and 3 and 6 h. Distilled water was used as negative and HBSS as positive control for comparison. The cell morphology, viability, population doubling time (PDT), and growth kinetics were evaluated. RT-PCR was carried out for characterization and karyotyping for chromosomal stability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aloe vera showed a significant higher viability than HBSS (74.74%). The 50% Aloe vera showed higher viability (97.73%) than other concentrations. PDT in 50% concentration was 35.1 h and for HBSS was 49.5 h. DPSCs were spindle shaped and were positive for CD73 and negative for CD34 and CD45. Karyotyping was normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aloe vera as an inexpensive and available herb can improve survival of avulsed or broken teeth in emergency cases as a transfer media.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sholehvar
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran. mehrabad@sums.ac.ir.|Department of Regenerative Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. mehrabad@sums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Davood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mehrabani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Parichehr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yaghmaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.
authors.forename: Akbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vahdati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003782:Dental Pulp; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013234:Stem Cells
chemical_list: C586178:Aloe vera gel; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Aloe vera; Hank's balanced salt solution; dental pulp stem cells; viability