Cucurbitacin B supplementation reduces inflammatory responses and alveolar bone loss via regulating MPO, COX-2 and RANK/RANKL/OPG signals in a rodent model of ligature-induced periodontitis

Abstract

Cucurbitacin B, a triterpenoid compound found in many Cucurbitaceae species, possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. This research aims to determine the effects of Cucurbitacin B in experimental periodontitis model. Experimental periodontitis were induced in Sprague Dawley rats by ligature method. Silk suture (4/0) was ligated subgingivally around the mandibular right first molars and placed in position for 11 days. The treatment group animals were administered Cucurbitacin B (12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg/kg bwt) via oral gavage for 12 days starting two days before ligature. The rats were sacrificed following 11 days after ligature, and the alveolar bone loss in the first molars was determined histometrically. For histological changes and levels of inflammatory mediators (1L-10, 1L-β, COX-2, MPO, and TNF-α), the periodontal tissues were excised and examined. The expressions of RANKL/RANK and OPG were determined. Alveolar bone loss was reduced expressively on Cucurbitacin B treatment. The MPO activity was substantially down-regulated. Cucurbitacin B significantly regulated the expressions of RANK, RANKL, and OPG. This study demonstrated that oral administration of cucurbitacin B significantly decreased loss in alveolar bones via regulating the RANKL/OPG stability and reducing inflammatory responses in experimental periodontitis.