Effect of eugenol on macrophage adhesion in vitro to plastic surfaces.

This study was performed to investigate the in vitro effect of eugenol on substrate adherence capacity of macrophages. Macrophages were obtained from Wistar rats. The adherence capacity of macrophages to the plastic surface of Eppendorf tubes was determined. Assays were carried out in these tubes for 15 min of incubation at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. Control peritoneal macrophages showed an adherence index = 52.5%. Eugenol decreased the adherence index of macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. A 1:1000 dilution of eugenol decreased the adherence index of macrophages by 16.6% (P < 0.05). Lower dilutions (1:100 and 1:10) greatly decreased the adherence index by 51% and 96.2% respectively (P < 0.01). Taking into account that substrate adherence is the first step in the phagocytic process of macrophages and in antigen presentation, eugenol could inhibit macrophage function and modulate immune and inflammatory reactions in dental pulp and periapical tissues.