title: Shikonin Inhibits Inflammatory Cytokine Production in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells.
abstract: Shikonin, which is derived from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, a herb used in traditional medicine, has long been considered to be a useful treatment for various diseases in traditional oriental medicine. Shikonin has recently been reported to have several pharmacological properties, e.g., it has anti-microbial, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to examine whether shikonin is able to influence the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and/or chemokine C-C motif ligand (CCL)20, which contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLC). The production levels of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL20 in HPDLC were determined using an ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to detect nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activation in HPDLC. Shikonin prevented IL-1β- or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-mediated IL-6, IL-8, and CCL20 production in HPDLC. Moreover, we found that shikonin suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor of kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) in IL-1β- or TNF-α-stimulated HPDLC. These findings suggest that shikonin could have direct beneficial effects against periodontal disease by reducing IL-6, IL-8, and CCL20 production in periodontal lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shindo
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan. hosokawa@tokushima-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Care Promotion, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ozaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuo
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054418:Chemokine CCL20 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D054418:Chemokine CCL20; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C108355:CCL20 protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; C016101:shikonin
keywords: CCL20; IL-6; IL-8; NF-κB; periodontal ligament cells; shikonin