RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine a new experimental material, indomethacin's inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of dentin collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen freshly extracted teeth were collected and stored at 4°C until use. Enamel, roots, and remnant pulp tissue were removed, and dentin powder was obtained by pulverizing liquid nitrogen-frozen coronal dentin with a mortar pestle. The obtained protein extract from human dentin powder was treated with indomethacin and incubated. The inhibition of enzymatic activity was analyzed using plate assay method and zymographic analysis. RESULTS: Plate assay method and zymograms showed that indomethacin-treated samples inhibited dentin enzymatic activity. SIGNIFICANCE: Bond strength at the dentin adhesive interface decreases because of the hydrolytic degradation of dentin collagen. The inhibition of enzymes responsible for collagen degradation may improve the bond strength durability. This study demonstrates the efficacy of indomethacin in inhibiting enzymatic activity.