Natural biomaterial approach: Synergistic effects of cocoa and aloe vera in hydrogel-based bone regeneration: An in vitro study

Objectives

To determine the characterization of cacao and aloe vera as natural hydrogel materials.

Materials and methods

Natural hydrogel includes fermentation of cacao beans for 5 days, grinding into a paste, and separating cacao butter. Aloe vera extract was obtained through the maceration method with 70 % ethanol. Samples were divided into four groups with different concentrations and sterilized using gamma radiation. Tests included a porosity test using the liquid displacement method, a biodegradability test with PBS pH 7.4, a viscosity test using a Stormer viscometer, and an antibacterial test against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Statistical analysis used one-way ANOVA with a significance of p < 0.05.

Results

The hydrogel porosity of the four groups was within the ideal range for bone regeneration (75–86 % ± 0.02) without significant differences. Hydrogel with aloe vera content of 12.5 mg/ml showed the highest degradation on days 1 (65.1 % ± 1.01), day 7 (49.56 % ± 3.58), and day 14 (77.91 % ± 5.15). The higher the aloe vera content, the lower the viscosity of the hydrogel. Aloe vera-cocoa hydrogel has antibacterial properties that can inhibit the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans bacteria, with effectiveness starting from a concentration of 3.125 mg/ml.

Conclusion

Hydrogel of aloe vera – alkalized cacao demonstrates optimal porosity, biodegradability, and viscosity, which can be a candidate for socket preservation material to prevent alveolar bone resorption after tooth extraction.

Clinical significance

Alkalized aloe vera-cocoa hydrogel can be a promising alternative socket preservation material after tooth extraction. This material has optimal porosity, controlled biodegradability, suitable viscosity, and antibacterial activity, thus potentially preventing alveolar bone resorption in a more economical and biocompatible manner.