Butein protects human dental pulp cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative toxicity via Nrf2 pathway-dependent heme oxygenase-1 expressions

► Butein was isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes. ► Butein possesses cytoprotective effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced dental cell death. ► Butein increases heme oxygenase-1 protein expression and HO activity. ► Butein showed potent cytoprotective effects via Nrf2/ARE pathway-dependent expression of HO-1. ► Butein may be used to prevent functional dental cell death and useful as a pulpal disease agent.