Combination of mineral trioxide aggregate and propolis promotes odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells through ERK signaling pathway

The aim of this study is to investigate combined effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and propolis on odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and to find a signaling pathway involved. Combination of MTA and propolis significantly up-regulated the expression of DSPP and DMP1, and facilitated a mineral nodule formation ( p < 0.05). Treatments with MTA, propolis or combined increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), one of mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling cascades during odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs ( p < 0.05), and U0126, an inhibitor of ERK, decreased calcium deposits ( p < 0.05). Combination of MTA and propolis promotes odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of DPSCs through ERK pathway.