THE REMINERALIZING POTENTIAL OF NATURAL DRUG LOADED NIOSOME VERSUS ITS EXTRACT ON DEMINERALIZED ENAMEL

Objectives: This in-vitro study was designed to evaluate the remineralizing potential of (Peganum harmala) as a natural plant, niosome loaded harmala extract versus sodium fluoride on demineralized enamel surface. Materials and methods: A 90 caries-free upper first premolar teeth were collected. The specimens were cut 2 mm in a horizontal plane, sectioning of the coronal part into two halves resulting in 180 specimens. Then, embedded in acrylic blocks. Specimens were then immersed in demineralizing solution of 0.3% citric acid for 8 hours to produce artificial caries-like lesions. The specimens randomly divided into five groups: group (A) Peganum harmala extract , group (B) niosome loaded harmala, group (C) sodium fluoride, group (D) positive control, group (E) a negative control. Two concentration groups (5% and 10%), two different time (20 days and 40 days). Specimens of each group were examined for microhardness measurement, data was then recorded, statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Also, specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Results: 10% concentrations appeared more effective than the 5% in all tested groups. The median hardness for 10% harmala was 176.4.6 in 40 days compared to 151.6 for 5% harmala. Also, niosome 10% showed the highest median microhardness overall (243.6 in 40 days). Also, there was an increase in microhardness values from 20 to 40 days for all preparations. SEM results and EDXA analysis confirmed these observations. Conclusions: P. harmala plant extract and niosome loaded harmala enhanced the remineralization potential of demineralized enamel surface.