Inhibitory effects of Artemisia asiatica on osteoclast formation induced by periodontopathogens

Abstract

Bone resorption surrounding tooth root causes tooth loss in periodontitis patients. Osteoclast has bone resorption activity. Effects of Artemisia asiatica on bone resorption induced by periodontopathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, were examined using co-culture systems of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells. Addition of A. asiatica ethanol extract to bacterial sonicate abolished bacteria-induced osteoclastogenesis. To determine inhibitory mechanism of A. asiatica against osteoclastogenesis, effects of A. asiatica on expressions of osteoclastogenesis-inducing factors such as receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in osteoblasts were examined. A. asiatica suppressed expressions of RANKL, PGE2, IL-1β, and TNF-α increased by each bacterial sonicate. These results suggest inhibitory action of A. asiatica against osteoclastogenesis is associated with downregulations of RANKL, PGE2, IL-1β, and TNF-α expressions.