Effect of chitosan medicaments loaded with green-synthesized silver nanoparticles on basic fibroblast growth factor release from infected dentin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chitosan (Cht), gelatin (Gel) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at different concentrations as a medicament for the release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) from infected dentin. Fifty-two single-rooted premolar teeth were standardized to 12 ± 1 mm in length and prepared up to size #100 with K-hand files. The root segments were infected with Enterococcus faecalis for 21 days. Two root segments were used to confirm the mature biofilm formation by scanning electron microscope. After irrigation with 1.5% NaOCl (20 mL/5 min), the samples were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10) based on the intracanal medicament: control group (non-dressed), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), Cht/Gel/AgNPs1 (0.18 g Cht/54 μg /mL AgNPs), Cht/Gel/AgNPs2 (0.16 g Cht/108 μg/mL AgNPs), and Cht/Gel/AgNPs3 (0.14 g Cht/162 μg/mL AgNPs). The samples were incubated for two weeks and then irrigated with 17% EDTA (20 mL/5 min). They were then placed in sterile Eppendorf tubes with 1 mL Hank's balanced salt solution at 37°C, and bFGF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 24 hours. Each root canal volume was assessed using cone-beam computerized tomography to calculate the final bFGF concentration. Statistical analysis was performed using Shapiro-Wilk, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between the control and the other medicament groups (p < 0.01). The Ca(OH)2 group showed significantly lower bFGF release levels among all Cht/Gel/AgNPs groups (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between the Cht/Gel/AgNPs2 and Cht/Gel/AgNPs1 groups (p = 0.019), as well as between the Cht/Gel/AgNPs2 and Cht/Gel/AgNPs3 groups (p = 0.007). Cht/Gel-containing AgNP medicaments may represent promising agents for revascularization protocols.