Regeneration of dental pulp via collagen hydrogel composited with resveratrol-loaded chitosan nanoparticle in a rabbit model of dental pulp injury

Development of artificial dental pulp for the regeneration of pulpectomized root canal is of vital importance in maintaining the tooth’s health and function. To achieve this objective, designing a pulp-like structure able to support tissue repair and vascularization is needed. In the current study, we developed a composite hydrogel based on collagen hydrogel and resveratrol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. Various physicochemical and biological properties of the hydrogel system were investigated in vitro. The healing potential of the artificial pulp was studied in a rabbit model of dental pulp injury. Study revealed the composite hydrogel had significantly higher healing activity compared with simple hydrogel, as evidenced by the results of histopathological examinations. Real-time PCR assay showed that the composite hydrogel system could enhance the level of VEGF expression and modulated inflammation via decreasing NFKβ expression.