ABSTRACT
OBJETIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-resorptive activity of a semi-synthetic coumarin derivative from Platymiscium floribundum, named 6,7-dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Molecular docking studies were performed to test the binding performance of the derivative against targets associated with alveolar bone loss (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and catalase) and a target considered an antioxidant defense (HO-1) during periodontitis. Periodontitis was induced by placing a nylon ligature around the second molars. The rats received for 11 days 6,7-dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin (0.01, 0.1, or 1 mg/kg) or vehicle. We investigated by RT-qPCR analysis (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and HO-1 mRNA expression levels) and by colorimetric assay (catalase activity) the mechanism of action mediated by 6,7-dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin. The in vivo toxicity of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin was evaluated. RESULTS: 6,7-Dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin (0.1 or 1 mg/kg) reduced alveolar bone loss (1.05 ± 0.24), when compared to vehicle-treated group (3.05 ± 0.30). The interactions of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin and the four targets (TNF-α, IL-1ß, catalase, and HO-1) showed firm bonds above 6.0 kcal/mol. 6,7-dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin (1 mg/kg) lowered mRNA expression levels of TNF-α (2.33 ± 0.56) and IL-1ß (19.87 ± 2.9), while it increased both the mRNA expression levels of HO-1 (43.40 ± 1.05) and the catalase activity (46.42 ± 4.59), when compared to vehicle-treated group (46.29 ± 8.43; 37.83 ± 4.38; 1.58 ± 0.11; 8.93 ± 1.86, respectively). The animals did not show any signs of toxicity. CONCLUSION: 6,7-Dimethoxy-3-nitrocoumarin decreased inflammatory bone loss in the ligature-induced periodontitis in rats, and the activation of the HO-1 pathway may contribute, at least partially, to its protective effects by reducing TNF-α and IL-1ß mRNA levels and increasing catalase activity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 6,7-Dimethoxy-3-nitrocumarin could be used as an adjunct to subgingival instrumentation during active and supportive periodontal treatment.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Bone Loss , Coumarins , Fabaceae/chemistry , Periodontitis , Animals , Coumarins/pharmacology , Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) , Heme Oxygenase-1 , Interleukin-1beta , Molecular Docking Simulation , Periodontitis/drug therapy , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Rats , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
Periodontitis is an immuno-inflammatory disease, which can lead to tooth loss. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Platymiscium floribundum Vog., a Brazilian tree which has been used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent, in a pre-clinical trial of periodontitis in rats. Periodontitis was induced by placing a sterilized nylon (3.0) thread ligature around the cervix of the second left upper molar of the rats, which received (per os) P. floribundum extract (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg) or vehicle 1h before periodontitis-challenge and once daily during 11 days. Treatment with P. floribundum (10mg/kg) decreased alveolar bone loss, MPO activity nitrite/nitrate levels, oxidative stress, TNF-α, IL1-ß, IL-8/CINC-1, and PGE2 gingival levels, and transcription of TNF-α, IL1-ß, COX-2, iNOS, RANK, and RANKL genes, while elevated both BALP serum levels and IL-10 gingival levels. The animals did not show signs of toxicity throughout the experimental course. These findings show that P. floribundum has anti-inflammatory and anti-resorptive properties in a pre-clinical trial of periodontitis, representing an interesting biotechnological tool.
