ABSTRACT
Periodontitis [PD] is known to be one of most prevalent worldwide chronic inflammatory diseases. There are several treatments including antibiotics for PD; however, since drug resistance is an increasing problem, new drugs particularly derived from plants with fewer side effects are required. The effects of trans-anethole on IL[-1] beta and TNF-alpha level in a rat model of PD were investigated and compared to ketoprofen. Eschericia coli lipopolysaccharide [LPS, 30 microg] was injected bilaterally into the palatal gingiva [3 microL/site] between the upper first and second molars every two days for 10 days in anesthetized rats. Administration of either trans-anethole [10 or 50 mg/Kg, i.p.] or ketoprofen [10 mg/Kg, i.p.] was started 20 minute before LPS injection and continued for 10 days. Then, IL[-1]beta and TNF-alpha levels were measured in blood samples by ELISA at day 0 [control] and at day 10. Anethole at both concentrations significantly suppressed IL[-1]beta and TNF-alpha production when compared to LPS-treated rats. The suppressive effects of anethole on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines were almost similar as seen with ketoprofen. In conclusion, the present results suggest that anethole may have a potent inhibitory effect on PD through suppression of pro-inflammatory molecules; therefore it could be a novel therapeutic strategy for PD