Effect of different combinations of papain-based gels on dissolving pulp tissue

Abstract

The focus of this study was to evaluate the capacity to dissolve pulp tissue of various combinations of papain-based gels and other antimicrobial agents. 105 bovine pulps were used, of standardized sizes, fragmented into 15mm-sized portions and weighed on an analytical balance, divided into 7 groups (n=15): 1 - 0.9% Saline Solution (negative control); 2- 8% Papain gel; 3- 8% Papain gel + 0.5% Chloramine; 4- 0.5% Chloramine gel; 5- 8% Papain gel + 2% Chlorhexidine; 6- 2% Chlorhexidine gel; and 7- 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite solution (positive control). After initial weighing, the pulp fragments were inserted in test tubes for dissolution for time intervals of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, and then weighed again. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). In the time interval of 120 minutes the 0.5% chloramine gel demonstrated 64.9% ability to pulp dissolve, followed by 8% papain gel with 61.3%; papain associated with 0.5% chloramine, 58%; and papain associated with 2% chlorhexidine, 55.4%; which showed statistically significant difference with 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite (p<0.05). All the gels that contained papain and the 0.5% chloramine gel promoted pulp tissue dissolution, however on a significantly lower scale than 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. The 2% chlorhexidine demonstrated no capacity to dissolve pulp, as did the control.