Inhibitory effect of procyanidin oligomer from elm cortex on the matrix metalloproteinases and proteases of periodontopathogens.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a partially purified extract (elm extract) from the Ulmi cortex (Ulmi macrocarpa Hance) and its active ingredient, a mix of procyanidin oligomers (3 to 12 flavan-3-ol monomers, an average molecular weight of 1,518 with an average polymerization degree of 5.3) for a possible inhibitory effect against proteases.


BACKGROUND
Host-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and bacterial proteases play important roles in the gingival tissue destruction that is a characteristic of periodontitis. The inhibitors of these proteases may be developed into therapeutic agents against periodontitis.


METHODS
The inhibitory effects were assessed by gelatin zymography. The MMPs tested were originated from the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of adult periodontitis patients and from the conditioned media of cultured periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, which provided the proMMP-2 and activated MMP-2 when treated with a periodontopathogen, Treponema lecithinolyticum. Bacterial enzymes tested were secreted forms from two major periodontopathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. In addition, the inhibitory effects on trypsin-like enzymes from these two periodontopathogens were assayed by the n-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) test.


RESULTS
The elm extract and the procyanidin oligomer (100-1,000 microg/ml) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the MMPs in GCF (chiefly MMP-8 and MMP-9), the pro and active forms of MMP-2, and secreted and trypsin-like enzymes from T. denticola and P. gingivalis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that elm cortex should be considered as a potential agent against periodontal diseases, due to its inhibitory action on MMPs and the proteases of periodontopathogens.
Song
Si-Eun
SE
Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Choi
Bong-Kyu
BK
Kim
Sang-Nyun
SN
Yoo
Yun-Jung
YJ
Kim
Moon-Moo
MM
Park
Sang-Ki
SK
Roh
Seok-Sun
SS
Kim
Chong-Kwan
CK
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044946:Biflavonoids; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000201:enzymology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014208:Treponema / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D034403:Ulmus
D000975:Antioxidants; D044946:Biflavonoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors; C017674:procyanidin; D002392:Catechin