Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Lianbeijuqin (LBJQ) decoction on periodontitis in rats
in vivo and in vitro.
Methods: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the main constituents
of LBJQ. Periodontitis in rats was induced in rats by ligation with bacteria-infected silk. Gingival index
(GI) and attachment loss (AL) were evaluated. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of LBJQ against
Porphyromonas gingivalis
,
Prevotella intermedius
,
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
,
Fusobacterium nucleatum
,
Streptococcus sanguis
and
Streptococcus mutans
were evaluated using
minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values.
Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of LBJQ on the release of TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-6 was also determined.
Results: HPLC revealed the presence of phellodendrine, baicalin, palmatine, berberine, baicalein,
wogonin and obacunone in LBJQ. LBJQ decoction dose-dependently (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) and
significantly decreased GI and AL (p < 0.05) in the periodontitis model rats. It also exerted significant
antibacterial effect against P. gingivalis (MIC, 0.64 mg/mL; MBC, 2.56 mg/mL), P. intermedius (MIC,
0.32 mg/m; MBC, 2.56 mg/mL), A. actinomycetemcomitans (MIC, 1.28 mg/mL; MBC, 5.12 mg/mL), F.
nucleatum (MIC, 0.16 mg/mL; MBC, 0.64 mg/mL), S. sanguis (MIC, 0.64 mg/mL; MBC, 5.12 mg/mL),
and S. mutans (MIC, 0.16 mg/mL; MBC, 1.28 mg/mL). Moreover, LBJQ decoction dose-dependently
and significantly decreased the release of TNF-α (p < 0.01), IL-1 β (p < 0.01) and IL-6 (p < 0.01) in LPS-induced
RAW 264.7 cells.
Conclusion: LBJQ exerts therapeutic activity against periodontitis in rats via inhibition of the release of
inflammatory cytokines and growth of oral anaerobic bacteria.
