2024 Volume 24 Pages 28-33
Equisetum arvense extract (EA) exerts various biological effects, including anti-inflammatory activity. However, its impact on alveolar bone destruction has not been reported. In this review, we provide an overview of the histological characteristics of periodontal tissue and the mechanism of periodontal tissue destruction. Additionally, we propose a potential strategy for maintaining optimal oral hygiene based on our study, which highlights the inhibitory effects of EA on cytokine production and alveolar bone destruction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Topically applied LPS from gingival sulcus of rat induced cytokine production and osteoclastogenesis in periodontal tissue. Whereas locally administrated EA into the rat gingival sulcus reduced Tnf-α mRNA expression in the periodontal tissue caused by LPS-stimulation. Moreover, EA significantly decreased the number of cathepsin-K-positive osteoclasts by decreasing RANKL-expression and increasing OPG-expression in the periodontal ligament caused by LPS. The in vitro study showed that the upregulation of p-IκB kinase α and β (p-IKKα/β), p-NF-κB p65, TNF-α, interleukin-6, RANKL, and downregulation of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), β-catenin, and OPG in the osteoblasts with LPS-stimulation improved with EA treatment. These findings demonstrated that topically applied EA suppressed alveolar bone resorption in the rat model with LPS-induced periodontitis by maintaining a balance in RANKL/OPG ratio via the pathways of NF-κB, Wnt/β -catenin, and Sema3A/Neuropilin-1. EA may prevent bone destruction by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis linked to cytokine bursts under plaque accumulation.
Therefore, we believe that the pharmacological action of EA to control inflammation and/or bone destruction in periodontal tissues as a complemental strategy of daily brushing may be effective.
