title: Carvacrol Ameliorates Ligation-Induced Periodontitis in Rats.
abstract: This study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effect of carvacrol, an anti-inflammatory monoterpenoid phenol and a major component of Plectranthus amboinicus, on periodontal damage in an experimental rat model of periodontitis.
  
  
  
  Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into ligation (Lig), non-ligation (n-Lig), and two ligation plus carvacrol (Lig+C) groups. Carvacrol (17.5 or 35.0 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered intragastrically from 1 day before ligation. On day 8, dental alveolar bone loss and gingival inflammation in periodontal specimens were examined by dental radiography, microcomputed tomography, and histology. Expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger (m)RNAs, and levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in gingiva were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and zymography.
  
  
  
  Dental radiography revealed periodontal bone-supporting ratios in Lig and Lig+C groups were lower than the n-Lig group, with Lig group ratios being lowest. Compared with the n-Lig group, the cemento-enamel junction-bone distance was significantly longer in Lig and Lig+C groups, with Lig+C groups showing shorter distances regardless of radiographic methods used. Histology and histometry showed less inflammatory area and stronger connective tissue attachment in Lig+C groups than in the Lig group. Cytokine/mediator mRNA expression and MMP-9 levels were reduced in the Lig+C groups.
  
  
  
  Carvacrol reduced tissue damage and bone loss caused by ligation-induced periodontitis. The present results indicate that carvacrol might reduce tissue destruction by downregulating expression of proinflammatory mediators and MMP-9.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.|Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Po-Jan
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.|Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tsung-Fu
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Center for Teeth Bank and Dental Stem Cell Technology and School of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hsiang-Yin
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.|Department of Dentistry, Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital, Xindian, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Min-Wen
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Po-Da
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hsien-Chung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.|Department of Dentistry, Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital, Xindian, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Earl
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000081007:Cymenes; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D012313:RNA; C073316:carvacrol; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: Cytokines; inflammation; interleukins; matrix metalloproteinases; nitric oxide synthase type II; periodontitis