Effect of mineral trioxide aggregate with or without propolis extract on the proliferation of fibroblast cell line

Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the cellular reaction of baby hamster kidney fibroblast cell line to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and mineral trioxide aggregate mixed with propolis ethanolic extract (MTA‑P) at different observation points using the crystal violet proliferation assay. Materials and methods Extracts of the materials were prepared at a surface area‑to‑volume ratio of 79 mm2/ml and collected 24, 72 h and 7 days after mixing. Cells were seeded into 96‑well plates at 2 × 104 cell/well for 24 h and then incubated with 100 μl extracts from each group (n = 6). Cell proliferation was assessed using the crystal violet assay. Cells cultured in culture medium only without the extracts served as control. Statistical analysis was performed using one‑way analysis of variance, two‑way analysis of variance and independent t‑test, P value less than 0.05. Results At 24 h, MTA‑P showed higher cell number ratio than MTA (P 0.05). At 72 h and 7 days, results showed no statistically significant difference among the groups. Conclusion The early biocompatibility of MTA‑P seems better than MTA, yet remains constant. MTA biocompatibility, however, seems to improve by time.