Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2025
Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Effects of aged garlic extract on experimental periodontitis in mice
Canyan Kuang1, Anna Hirai2, Chiaki Kamei-Νagata2
1Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8525, Japan.
Abstract:
Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. AGE has been recently found to reduce the inflammatory symptoms of periodontitis, a widespread chronic inflammatory disease caused by oral bacterial infection. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of AGE on experimental periodontitis and the related inflammatory factors. AGE (2 g/kg/day) was orally administered to 15 mice during the experimental period, while a control group consisted of 15 mice that received pure water. A total of 3 days after initiation of administration, the left maxillary second molar was ligated with a 5-0 silk thread for 7 days. Blood biochemical tests were performed to monitor the systemic effects of AGE. Alveolar bone loss was measured morphometrically using a stereomicroscope, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to assay mRNAs of proinflammatory cytokines in gingival tissues. A histological survey was also performed to identify osteoclasts in periodontitis lesions (five mice per group). The total protein and albumin levels showed no significant differences between the AGE and control groups. However, ligation-induced bone resorption was lower in the AGE group than in the control group (P=0.01). Additionally, ligature increased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, whereas AGE administration tended to suppress them. Remarkably, tumor necrosis factor gene expression was significantly suppressed (P=0.04). The number of osteoclasts in periodontitis lesions was reduced in the AGE-treated group. These results indicate that AGE prevents alveolar bone loss by suppressing the inflammatory responses related to osteoclast differentiation in the periodontal tissue. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of AGE in reducing inflammatory bone resorption.
Insights
Aged garlic extract (AGE) reduces periodontitis-related bone loss in mice by suppressing inflammatory factors and osteoclast differentiation. This study highlights AGE
Area of Science:
- Oral Biology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the gums and bone supporting teeth, often caused by bacterial infection.
- Aged garlic extract (AGE) is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, but its specific mechanisms in periodontitis are not fully understood.
- Understanding how AGE affects inflammatory pathways in periodontitis is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) on experimental periodontitis in a mouse model.
- To determine the impact of AGE on key inflammatory factors and bone resorption associated with periodontitis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which AGE may mitigate periodontal tissue damage.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of AGE (2 g/kg/day) or water to mice for the duration of the experiment.
- Induction of experimental periodontitis by ligating the maxillary second molar with silk thread.
- Assessment of alveolar bone loss using stereomicroscopy, measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA in gingival tissues via RT-qPCR, and histological analysis of osteoclasts.
Main Results:
- AGE administration significantly reduced ligature-induced alveolar bone loss compared to the control group (P=0.01).
- AGE treatment tended to suppress the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with a significant reduction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene expression (P=0.04).
- Histological analysis revealed a reduced number of osteoclasts in the periodontal lesions of AGE-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- Aged garlic extract (AGE) demonstrates a protective effect against alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis.
- AGE appears to exert its beneficial effects by suppressing inflammatory responses and inhibiting osteoclast differentiation in periodontal tissues.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of AGE in managing inflammatory bone resorption in periodontitis.
