Topical application of herbal formula for the treatment of ligature-induced periodontitis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of a herbal formula, PerioH-035, containing Angelica sinensis, steamed Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, and Zanthoxylum piperitum on the periodontal breakdown in a well-established ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: NL (non-ligatured), L (ligatured), P1 (ligatured and treated with 1 mg/mL PerioH-035), P100 (ligatured and treated with 100 mg/mL PerioH-035). Periodontitis was induced by placing a ligature around the mandibular first molars. PerioH-035 was topically applied to both sides of the first molar for 2 weeks. The right side of the mandibles was retrieved for micro-computed tomography (CT) and methylene blue staining to analyze alveolar bone loss. The left side of the mandibles was histologically analyzed by TRAP and H&E staining. The MMP-9 mRNA level in gingival tissue was investigated by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Alveolar bone resorption was significantly reduced in the PerioH-035-treated groups. The number of dense multi-nucleated cells found to be TRAP-positive by staining in the ligatured rats was markedly decreased by PerioH-035 application. In addition, periodontal tissue destruction, especially cementum demineralization, was ameliorated in the P1 and P100 groups. Moreover, gingival tissue from the PerioH-035-treated group showed a decrease in the MMP-9 mRNA level, resulting in recovery of collagen degradation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that PerioH-035 has therapeutic effects on periodontitis, and thus, PerioH-035 shows promise as a treatment for periodontitis.
Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Mi Hye
MH
Kim
Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
You Yeon
YY
Choi
Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hye Ji
HJ
Lee
Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Haesu
H
Lee
Department of Periodontology, Dankook University College of Dentistry, Cheonan, Korea.
Jung-Chul
JC
Park
Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Woong Mo
WM
Yang
Matrix metalloproteinase 9; Medicinal herbs; Osteoclasts; Periodontitis