Abstract:

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of bergaptenand its inhibition of bone resorption in the treatment of periodontitis, as well as its potential underlying mechanisms. Methods A total of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups(control group, model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose bergapten groups, with 7 rats in each group). Except for the control group, periodontitis was induced in all other groups by orthodontic ligation of the bilateral maxillary first molars(M1) and feeding a high-sugar diet. After successful modeling, the control and model groups received gavage of isotonic saline, while the bergapten groups received gavage of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bergapten, respectively, once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. Periodontal symptoms were observed, and GI, SBI grades, and PLI scores were recorded. Rats were sacrificed within 24 hours after the last administration, and their maxillae were immediately subjected to Micro-CT scanning to assess alveolar bone resorption. Histopathological changes in the periodontal tissues were observed using HE staining, and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(IL-6 and IL-1β) were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-1β, GI, SBI grades, PLI scores, and CEJ-ABC distance, while bone volume to total volume ratio(BV/TV), trabecular number(Tb. N), and trabecular thickness(Tb. Th) were significantly reduced(P<0.001). In comparison to the model group, the bergapten groups(with the exception of the low-dose group for IL-6)demonstrated reductions in IL-6, IL-1β levels, GI, SBI grades, PLI scores, and CEJ-ABC distance, with the medium-dose group showing the most pronounced effect(except for IL-6). Conclusion Bergapten can effectively prevent and treat periodontitis by inhibiting the secretion of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines, achieving anti-inflammatory effects and inhibiting bone resorption.

Key words: periodontitis, bergapten, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of bone resorption