Alyssin Modulates Inflammatory Mediators Expression in Interleukin-1β-Stimulated Human Periodontal Ligament Cells

Alyssin is an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous plants. It has been reported to have physiologically active effects. However, no attempts have been made to use alyssin for the treatment of periodontitis. In addition, there are no reports investigating the effects of alyssin on periodontal tissue constituent cells. In the present study, experiments were carried out to determine whether alyssin has an anti-inflammatory effect on human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). We found that alyssin suppressed the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced production of IL-6, IL-8, C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2, CCL20, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)10 and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in HPDLCs. It was also found that alyssin inhibited the IL-1β-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and the phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) in HPDLCs. Furthermore, we found that the expression of the antioxidant enzymes hemeoxygenase (HO)-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO)-1 was enhanced by alyssin treatment of HPDLC. This study suggests that by suppressing the activation of NF-κB and p70S6K, alyssin may attenuate the expression of inflammatory mediators in HPDLCs. In addition, alyssin also increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes.