Response of Human Periodontal Ligament Cells to Baicalin

Background: Periodontitis is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal ligament cell (PLC)-based therapy is considered one of the most promising methods in periodontal tissue regeneration. The traditional Chinese medicine baicalin has been shown to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities and enhance cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the response of human PLCs (HPLCs) to baicalin. Methods: The effect of baicalin on cultured HPLC proliferation was measured with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effect of baicalin on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), core binding factor alpha 1 (Cbf alpha 1), and osteocalcin (OC) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunodetection. Results: Baicalin at a concentration of 0.01 mu g/mL promoted HPLC proliferation, upregulated OPG messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression, and downregulated RANKL mRNA and protein expression. In addition to reducing the RANKL/OPG expression ratio significantly, it also increased Cbfa1 and OC mRNA and protein expression. Conclusion: Baicalin showed multifaceted regulation of genes with important roles in tissue growth and differentiation, and thus it has the potential to be a promising candidate for HPLC-based periodontal regeneration therapy.