Effects of Sophorae Radix Extracts on the Expression of Cell Cycle Regulatory Proteins in Human Gingival Fibroblasts / 대한치주과학회지

Fibroblasts are major cellular components of gingiva and periodontal ligament. They regulate the healing process after surgery or injury. Recently, many natural medicines, whose advantages are less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity, their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Sophorae radix have been traditionally used as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drug in oriental medicine. The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of Sophorae radix extract on cell cycle progression and its molecular mechanism in human gingival fibroblasts. Sophorae radix extracts(100microgram/ml) notably increased cell proliferation and cell activity in the human gingival fibroblasts as compared to non-supplemented controls. There was an increase in the S phase and a decrease in the G1 phase in 100microgram/ml of Sophorae radix extracts group as compared to non-supplemented controls. The level of cyclin E and cdk 2 protein in test group was higher than that of control groups. But that of cyclin D, cdk 4, and cdk 6 was not distinguished from controls. The level of p53 protein in test group was lower than that of controls, whereas that of p21 was not different. The level of pRB protein in test group was higher than that of controls, whereas that of p16 was lower. These results indicate that the increase of cell proliferation by Sophorae radix extracts may be due to the increased expression of cyclin E and cdk 2, and the decreased expression of p53 and p16 in human gingival fibroblasts.

Effects of Locally Applicated Safflower Seeds Extract on Bone Regeneration of Rat Calvarial Defects / 대한치주과학회지

The ultimate goal of periodontal treatment is the regeneration of periodontal tissues which have been lost due to periodontal disease. Recently, many natural medicines have been studied for their potential of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects in periodontal tissues. Safflower seeds have been traditionally used as a drug for treatment of fracture and blood stasis in oriental medicine. The objective of the present study is to examine the biologic effects of safflower seeds extract on bone formation and regeneration of rat calvarial defects. The calvarial defects were made with 8mm trephine bur and extract of safflower seeds were placed directly at these defects. 24 rats were divided into control and experimental groups, and each group was sacrificed at 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. To study a histopathology related to bone regeneration, Goldner's Masson Trichrome stain and histomorphologic measuring was done at each weeks. In the early phase of bone healing, less inflammatory infiltration and capillary proliferation was found in experimental group compared to control. Dense bony tissues and matured bone structures in defect areas were found in experimental groups. And area of new bone formation was significantly increased at 8 weeks in experimental group. These results indicate that direct local application of safflower seeds extract reduces the early inflammatory response and promotes the regeneration of new bone in calvarial defects of rats.

Effects of Toothpaste Containing Several Natural Medicines on Periodontal Disease / 대한치주과학회지

Recently many researches on plaque removal effect and therapeutic effect of toothpaste containing natural medicines are being studied in early periodontal diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical and microbiological effect of toothpaste containing natural medicines such as camomile, rhatany, myrrh, sage oil, glycyrrhetinic acid and vitamin E. Sixty three subjects with gingivitis were divided into an experimental group which performed normal oral hygiene procedure with toothpaste containing natural medicines and vitamine E and a control group which also performed normal oral hygiene procedure with Syrinmed? toothpaste without containing herbal extracts and vitamine E. At the baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, subjects were analyzed for clinical study and microbiological study. After 2 weeks and 4 weeks use of their respective toothpastes, statistically significant decreases of gingival index, plaque index, and bleeding index were shown in both the control and the experimental group. The degree of decrease was more significant in the experimental group than the control group. A statistically significant decrease of pocket depth, and gingival crevicular fluid were shown in both the control and the experimental group. A statistically significant increase of cocci was shown in both the control and the experimental group, the degree of increase was more significant in the experimental group than control group. A statistically significant decrease ofnon-motile rods, and motile rods were shown in both the control and the experimental group, the degree of decrease was more significant in the experimental group than the control group. Spirochetes increased weakly in both the control and the experimental group but a statistic significance was not shown. A statistically significant decrease of anaerobic bacteria, aerobic bacteria, and black pigmented Bacteroides were shown in both the control and the experimental group. These results indicate that the use of toothpaste containing natural medicines is effective in the prevention and the treatment of periodontal diseases.