Scutellaria baicalensis ameliorates the destruction of periodontal ligament via inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression.

Background: Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) is widely used as a medicinal plant to treat various inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SB on periodontitis in ligature-induced experimental rat model.

Methods: Rats were subjected to a ligature placement around the first molar of the mandible to induce periodontitis. 100 mg/kg SB extracts were orally administered for 14 days. The molar tissues were stained with 1% methylene blue. Histopathological changes of the periodontium were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of cytokines were measured in the gingival tissue.

Results: Alveolar bone resorption was statistically lower in the SB group compared to the ligatured group. SB inhibited the mineralization of cementum. In addition, SB reduced the production of IL-1β, 6, -8 and TNF-α cytokine mRNA expression in gingival tissues.

Conclusion: These results suggest that SB showed ameliorative effects in the ligature-induced periodontitis by inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression.