title: Tormentic acid inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts via inhibition of TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent oral diseases, which is associated with inflammation of the tooth-supporting tissues. Tormentic acid (TA), a triterpene isolated from Rosa rugosa, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of TA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and chemokines such as IL-8 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), IκBα, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was determined by Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS significantly upregulated the expression of IL-6 and IL-8. TA inhibited the LPS-induced production of IL-6 and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, TA inhibited LPS-induced TLR4 expression; NF-κB activation; IκBα degradation; and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and P38.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TA inhibits the LPS-induced inflammatory response in HGFs by suppressing the TLR4-mediated NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China; Chengdu Military Garrison Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 650032, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Cong-Xiang
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Jian
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Ming-Zhe
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei-Yin
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhong-Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Chengdu Military Garrison Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 650032, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Quan-Shui
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Chengdu Military Garrison Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 650032, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Yong-He
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolog, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, PR China. Electronic address: lichenjungz@163.com.
authors.forename: Chen-Jun
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C083487:I kappa B beta protein; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D014315:Triterpenes; C007695:euscaphic acid; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: Cytokine; Human gingival fibroblasts; MAPKs; NF-κB; Tormentic acid