Rusul Khaleel Ali
Postgraduate student, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, College of dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Aseel Haidar M. J. Al Haidar
Prof. in pediatric dentistry, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, College of dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Objectives: To characterize the phytochemical composition of Citrullus lanatus seed aqueous extract and evaluate its remineralizing effect on demineralized enamel using surface microhardness testing supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods: Characterization of an aqueous extract of C. lanatus seeds was done using FTIR, FAAS, UV–VIS, and GC–MS analyses. After preparation of fifteen sound human premolars, teeth were subjected to artificial demineralization, then randomly allocated to five groups: three concentrations of C. lanatus extract (1800, 2000, and 2200 mg/L), 5% sodium fluoride, and artificial saliva. Measurement of enamel surface microhardness was recorded at three stages: baseline, after demineralization, and after 14 days of treatment. To qualitatively assess surface morphology and mineral deposition, examination of representative specimens (sound enamel, demineralized enamel, artificial saliva, sodium fluoride, and C. lanatus extract groups) using SEM was utilized. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (? = 0.05). Results: Analysis using FTIR and GC–MS resulted in identification of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and amide functional groups, with linoleic acid as the predominant organic constituent. Presence of magnesium, potassium and calcium ions was confirmed by FAAS. Significant increase in enamel microhardness was noticed following treatment with C. lanatus extract in 2000 and 2200 mg/L compared with artificial saliva (p < 0.001), with values comparable to sodium fluoride. These findings were corroborated by SEM observations, where the extract-treated enamel demonstrating surface porosity reduction and surface mineral deposition compared with demineralized and artificial saliva–treated specimens, with morphology comparable to sodium fluoride. Significance: Promising potential of enamel remineralization was demonstrated using Citrullus lanatus seed aqueous extract. This was supported by the recovery in the microhardness and SEM evidence. Under in-vitro conditions, the extract represents a plant-based biomaterial that exhibits remineralization performance within a comparable range to sodium fluoride.
