Topical application of herbal formula for the treatment of ligature-induced periodontitis

The Role of Herbal Medicine in Modulating Bone Homeostasis

Osteoporosis and other bone diseases are a major public health concern worldwide. Current pharmaceutical treatments for bone disorders have limitations, driving interest in complementary herbal medicines that can help maintain bone health. This review summarizes the scientific evidence for medicinal herbs that modulate bone cell activity and improve bone mass, quality and strength. Herbs with osteogenic, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-osteoclastic effects are discussed, including compounds and mechanisms of action. Additionally, this review examines the challenges and future directions for translational research on herbal medicines for osteoporosis and bone health. While preliminary research indicates beneficial bone bioactivities for various herbs, rigorous clinical trials are still needed to verify therapeutic efficacy and safety. Further studies should also elucidate synergistic combinations, bioavailability of active phytochemicals, and precision approaches to match optimal herbs with specific etiologies of bone disease. Advancing evidence- based herbal medicines may provide novel alternatives for promoting bone homeostasis and treating skeletal disorders.

Effect of Curcumin gel on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in experimental induced periodontitis in rats: a biochemical and immunological study

This study aimed to determine the effect of local application of curcumin gels as adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) on the inflammatory biomarkers matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the anti-inflammatory biomarker interleukin-10 (IL-10) in rats with experimentally induced periodontitis. Fifty-five adult Wistar rats with experimentally induced periodontitis were randomly divided into four groups: 15 rats received SRP + curcumin gel (CU), 15 rats received SRP + Tetracycline gel (Tet), 15 rats were treated with SRP alone, and 5 rats had experimental periodontitis without treatment (EP). Five systemically healthy rats without experimental periodontitis were used as the controls. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture from all groups after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of therapy. Biomarker levels determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and, ANOVA were used to compare the study groups. The results showed a significant increase in pro-inflammatory biomarkers and a significant decrease in anti-inflammatory biomarkers in the EP group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The local application of curcumin or tetracycline gels resulted in a significant reduction in all inflammatory biomarkers at all periods of examination compared to the EP group. IL-10 levels gradually increased after 2 weeks, peaked at 4 weeks, and then decreased after 6 weeks, however, Tet showed statistically significant improvement compared to CU (p < 0.05). Adjunctive application of CU gel was as effective as Tet gel in the treatment of EP in rats by reducing inflammatory biomarkers and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Immuno-histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of Angelica sinensis adjunctive to ß-tricalcium phosphate in critical-sized class II furcation defects in dogs

OBJECTIVE

The study evaluates the effectiveness of Angelica sinensis (As) adjunctive to Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bone graft in the management of induced critical sized class II furcation defects in dogs.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A randomized study design was conducted on the third and fourth premolars of six dogs. A total of twenty-four defects were surgically created. After reflecting a mucoperiosteal flap, twelve defects were filled with As granules mixed with β-TCP (Experimental group) while the other twelve defects were filled with β-TCP only (Control group) and both were covered by collagen membrane. At the fourth and eighth weeks, jaw segments were dissected and processed for immune-histological examination and histomorphometry analysis.

RESULTS

At four and eight weeks after treatment, experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in the height of newly formed interradicular bone (p = 0.001 and p = 0.0001 respectively), its surface area (p = 0.002 and p = 0.02 respectively), and the thickness of its trabeculae (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.001 respectively), when compared to control group. Moreover. alkaline phosphatase immunoreaction showed higher intensity in the osteoblast cells of experimental group compared to control group.

CONCLUSION

As enhances periodontal regeneration and bone-formation when used in the management of furcation defects.

Association between serum miRNAs and gingival gene expression in an obese rat model

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have reported a relationship between periodontitis and obesity; however, the mechanisms of obesity's effects on periodontitis are not well understood. On the other hand, microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play key roles in the post-transcriptional regulation gene expression by suppressing translation and protein synthesis. We examined the association between obesity-related miRNAs and gene expression in gingival tissue using miRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA) pairing analysis in an obese rat model.

METHODS

Sixteen male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks old were divided into two groups: the control group was fed a normal powdered food for 8 weeks, and the obesity group was fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Distance from the cement-enamel junction to the alveolar bone crest of the first molars was measured. miRNA microarray analysis was performed on samples of serum and gingival tissue; the resulting data were used to calculate fold changes in miRNA levels in the obesity group relative to the control group, and miRNA-mRNA pairing analysis was performed to identify mRNAs potentially targeted by miRNAs of interest.

RESULTS

Alveolar bone loss in the obesity group exceeded that in the control group (p = .017). miRNA-mRNA pairing analysis identified an association between 4 miRNAs (miR-759, miR-9a-3p, miR-203b-3p, and miR-878) that were differentially expressed in the obesity and control groups and 7 genes (Ly86, Arid5b, Rgs18, Mlana, P2ry13, Kif1b, and Myt1) expressed in gingival tissue.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that several miRNAs play an important role in the mechanism of periodontal disease progression induced by the obesity.

Periodontitis Deteriorates Cognitive Function and Impairs Neurons and Glia in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Although periodontitis is reportedly associated with increased cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, the mechanisms underlying this process remain unknown. Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (P.g-LPS) is an endotoxin associated with periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effect of periodontitis on learning capacity and memory of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP)/presenilin (PS1) transgenic mice along with the mechanisms underlying these effects.

METHODS

Mice were randomly assigned to three groups, namely AβPP/PS1 (control), P.g-LPS Injection, and P.g-LPS Injection + Ligation. Mice from the P.g-LPS Injection group were injected with P.g-LPS in the periodontal tissue three times per week for 8 weeks, while mice from the P.g-LPS Injection + Ligation group were injected with P.g-LPS and subjected to ligation of the gingival sulcus of the maxillary second molar.

RESULTS

Expression of gingival proinflammatory cytokines as well as alveolar bone resorption in P.g-LPS-injected and ligatured mice was increased compared to that in control mice. Mice in the P.g-LPS Injection + Ligation group exhibited cognitive impairment and a significant reduction in the number of neurons. Glial cell activation in the experimental groups with significantly increased amyloid-β (Aβ) levels was more pronounced relative to the control group. Induction of periodontitis was concurrent with an increase in cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, AβPP, and beta-secretase 1 expression and a decrease in A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 10 expression.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that periodontitis exacerbated learning and memory impairment in AβPP/PS1 mice and augmented Aβ and neuroinflammatory responses. Our study provides a theoretical basis for risk prediction and early intervention of Alzheimer's disease and periodontitis.

Effects of Coffee Intake on Oxidative Stress During Aging-related Alterations in Periodontal Tissue

BACKGROUND/AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-aging effects of coffee intake on oxidative stress in rat periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Fischer 344 rats (8 weeks old) were randomized to four groups; the baseline group immediately sacrificed, the control group fed with normal powdered food for 8 weeks, and the experimental groups fed with powdered food containing 0.62% or 1.36% coffee components for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Alveolar bone loss and gingival level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were significantly lower in the 1.36% coffee group than in the control group. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 translocation to the nucleus was significantly higher in the 1.36% coffee group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Continuous intake of 1.36% coffee could prevent age-related oxidative stress in the periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss, possibly by up-regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Angelica gigas ameliorates the destruction of gingival tissues via inhibition of MMP-9 activity

Angelica gigas (AG) has been used for periodontal diseases in traditional Korean medicine.

Angelica dahurica ameliorates the inflammation of gingival tissue via regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators in experimental model for periodontitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anti-inflammatory effects of Angelica dahurica (AD) have been reported in previous studies. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AD on periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7 weeks (n=7) were subjected to ligature around bilateral mandibular first molars. 1 and 100mg/mL of AD were topically applied to first molars for 14 days. Histological changes were observed in gingival epithelial layer, and the thickness of the gingival epithelial layer as well as the number of epithelial cells were quantified. To investigate the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in gingival tissues, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed. To confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of AD, pro-inflammatory mediators including cytokines and NF-kB, COX-2, and iNOS were analyzed in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells.

RESULTS

Topical application of AD attenuated not only the thickness of epithelial layer, also the number of epithelial cells in gingival tissue. The expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ in gingiva were significantly reduced by AD treatment. Additionally, the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-γ mRNA were inhibited by AD in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, AD treatment decreased LPS-induced elevation of NF-κB, COX-2 and iNOS protein levels in RAW264.7 cells.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, AD application ameliorated the hyperplasia of gingival epithelial layer by down-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators. AD might have therapeutic potentials for periodontal diseases.

Zanthoxylum piperitum reversed alveolar bone loss of periodontitis via regulation of bone remodeling-related factors

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zanthoxylum piperitum (ZP) has been used to prevent toothache in East Asia.

AIM OF STUDY

In this study, we investigated the effects of ZP on periodontitis along with alveolar bone loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into 4 groups; non-ligated (NOR), ligated and treated vehicle (CTR), ligated and treated 1mg/mL ZP (ZP1), and ligated and treated 100mg/mL ZP (ZP100). Sterilized 3-0 nylon ligature was placed into the subgingival sulcus around the both sides of mandibular first molar. After topical application of 1 and 100mg/mL ZP for 2 weeks, mandibles was removed for histology. In addition, SaOS-2 osteoblast cells were treated 1, 10 and 100μg/mL ZP for 24h to analyze the expressions of alveolar bone-related markers.

RESULTS

Several alveolar bone resorption pits, which indicate cementum demineralization were decreased by ZP treatment. Topical ZP treatment inhibited periodontitis-induced alveolar bone loss. In addition, there were significant reduction of osteoclastic activities following topical ZP treatment in periodontium. The expression of RANKL was decreased in SaOS-2 osteoblast cells by treating ZP, while that of OPG was increased. ZP treatment increased the expressions of Runx2 and Osterix in SaOS-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, ZP treatment inhibited alveolar bone loss as well as maintained the integrity of periodontal structures via regulation of bone remodeling. ZP may be a therapeutic target for treating periodontitis.

Antinociceptive Activity of Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. Essential Oil

Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. (ZP) is a traditional medicinal plant used mainly in countries from Asia such as Japan. This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect of ZP essential oil (ZPEO). The major component present in the essential oil was beta-phellandrene (29.39%). Its antinociceptive activity was tested through animal models (formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced paw licking and hot plate). The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated through the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration into the subcutaneous air pouch (SAP), with measurement of cytokines. The results showed antinociceptive effect for ZPEO for the first phase of the formalin-induced licking, glutamate, and hot plate tests. However, ZPEO had no effect on reducing paw licking induced by capsaicin. Finally, ZPEO had no effect against inflammation induced by carrageenan.