Abstract
Aucubin, an iridoid glucoside isolated from Aucuba japonica, has pharmacological effects such as antimicrobial effect, liver protective function and inhibition of liver RNA and protein biosynthesis, etc. This study was performed to observe the effect of aucubin on the pulp tissue after pulpotomy. Aucubin was converted to aucubinogenin as an active form by ${\beta}$-glucosidase. In 3 Mongrel dogs, the pulps were mechanically exposed with a sterile round bur and excised with sterile excavator. After bleeding control, aucubin was applied on remaining pulp tissues and then they were sealed with IRM in experimental group. In control group, $Ca(OH)_2$ powder was applied on remaining pulp tissues and then they were sealed with IRM. After interval of 1 and 12 weeks, the dogs were sacrificed. The teeth were prepared for histologic evaluation and examined by light microscope. Aucubin 1 week group showed that mild inflammation and vascular congestion in most of the specimen. More various degree of inflammation was found in experimental group than in control group. Premature calcified mass were found in the both 1 weeks groups. Continuous well-formed dentin bridge was found in both 12 weeks groups. Collectively, this study suggests that the possibility of aucubin as a medicament after pulpotomy.