Xanthohumol: Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Mechanically Stimulated Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Initial sterile inflammation is an essential molecular process in the periodontium during orthodontic tooth movement. A better understanding and possible modulations of these processes are of great interest to develop individual therapies for special patient groups. The prenylated plant polyphenol xanthohumol (XN) could have modulating effects as it has shown anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis-inhibiting effects in various cell lines. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of XN in an in vitro model of compressively stimulated human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), which have a different function in the periodontium than the previously used cementoblasts.

The expression of inflammatory markers at the mRNA and protein levels and the regulation of central kinases were investigated.

XN showed a dose-dependent influence on cell viability. Low concentrations between 0.2 and 4 µM showed positive effects, while 8 µM caused a significant decrease in viability after 24 h. Mechanical stimulation induced an upregulation of pro-inflammatory gene (IL-6, COX2) and protein (IL-6) expression. Here, XN significantly reduced stimulation-related IL-6 mRNA and gene expression. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK was upregulated by mechanical stimulation, and XN re-established phosphorylation at a level similar to the control.

We demonstrated a selective anti-inflammatory effect of XN in hPDLSCs. These findings provide the basis for further investigation of XN in the modulation of inflammatory responses in orthodontic therapy and the treatment of periodontal inflammation.