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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Induction of Periodontitis via a Combination of Ligature and Lipopolysaccharide Injection in a Rat Model
Published on: February 17, 2023
Protective effect of carvacrol hydrogel on the alveolar bone in rats with periodontitis
Lulu Zhou1, Nian Teng1, Tiantian Gao1
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of carvacrol hydrogel on the alveolar bone in rats with periodontitis.
Methods:
A thermosensitive hydrogel supported by carvacrol was prepared using poloxamer and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as matrix. SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, periodontitis group, blank hydrogel group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose hydrogel groups. The periodontitis symptoms and the CT structure of the alveolar bone were observed. The changes in liver, spleen, kidney, and periodontal tissues were observed. The related indexes of bone metabolism in serum were detected. The expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway proteins was determined by Western blot. The levels of inflammatory factors were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Results:
Carvacrol hydrogel had good slow release, biocompatibility, and cell adhesion. The periodontitis of rats in the carvacrol hydrogel group was significantly alleviated, the expression of OPG protein in gingival tissue was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the levels of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), NF-κB protein, and inflammatory factors were significantly decreased (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
Carvacrol hydrogel can regulate the OPG and NF-κB pathways, reduce alveolar bone absorption, and improve periodontal inflammation.
