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In tissue engineering, polyphenol-based biomaterial scaffolds have been widely observed because of their excellent functional properties, including adhesiveness, antioxidant properties, antimicrobial capabilities and biocompatible properties (Zhang et al., 2021). The omnipresence, specificity of the response and the absence/low toxicity are also important advantages of polyphenols as anticancer agents (Ramos et al., 2008). Their main limitations are related to low bioavailability and rapid metabolism (Fantini et al., 2015). Thus, despite their low bioavailability, polyphenols may be a promising option for tissue regeneration.

In regenerative endodontics, clinical guidelines recommend the use of chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to release bioactive molecules entrapped in the dentin matrix during dentin demineralization (American Association of Endodontics 2018, Galler et al. 2016), and consequently enhance stem cell differentiation (Dos Reis-Prado et al. 2022, 2023). Although EDTA remains the most used irrigating solution after sodium hypochlorite in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs), previously studies indicated improved cell behavior and growth factors’ release after conditioning with citric acid compared to EDTA (Chae et al. 2018, Ivica et al. 2019). Thus, citric acid may be a promising option in comparison to EDTA for regenerative endodontic outcomes.