Functional evaluation of extracts from mixed natural plants (MENP) for oral health: anti-inflammatory and alveolar bone protective effects in periodontitis model rats

Abstract

This study investigated the anti-periodontitis effects of MENP (mixed extracts from multiple natural plants with a certain percentage). Lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (LPS-PG) was used to stimulate Raw 264.7 and human gingival fibroblast-1 cells. The lower molars of rats were li-gated and injected with LPS-PG to induce periodontitis. The induced periodontitis increased nitric oxide production and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. The levels of matrix metallopro-teinases-3, -8, and -9, the enzymes for protein degradation in the extracellular matrix, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, an inhibitory factor, increased. MENP exhibited an effective inhibitory activity. Histological analysis using micro-CT and H&E staining revealed gingival recession and alveolar bone loss. The likelihood of recovery from these conditions is positively correlated with MENP concentration. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration due to the induced periodontitis was remarkably reduced. These findings suggest that MENP efficiently protects periodontal tissue from damage by inhibiting inflammatory responses.