The Effect of Eleutherine americana Merr. Extract on Expression Changes of MMP-8 and Type 1 Collagen in Periodontitis Rat Models

Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP-8) and type 1 collagen play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. This allows it to be used as a biomarker for evaluating the therapeutic effect. Various studies have shown that active components possessed Eleutherine americana Merr (EAM) has anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression change of MMP-8 as well as type 1 collagen after treatment with EAM in rats with periodontitis.

Thirty-six rats (Rattus novergicus) were used as periodontitis rat models. Wire ligature was placed in a subgingival position, encircling entire cervix of the incisors. Periodontitis bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, was then injected into gingival sulcus twice a week for a maximum of 14 days. After the ligature placement, animals were randomly assigned to six experimental groups (n=6): 1) Periodontitis + Na-CMC, 2) Periodontitis + EAM100mg/Kg, 3) Periodontitis + EAM250mg/Kg, 4) Periodontitis + EAM500mg/Kg, 5) Periodontitis + EAM1000mg/Kg, 6) Periodontitis + Doxycycline. The experiment was conducted for 10 days and at the end of experiment, all the rats were sacrificed and their gingival tissue was removed. Expression of MMP-8 and type 1 collagen in gingival tissue was observed immunohistochemically. The data was then analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test.

The gingiva of rats showed a significant decrease in MMP-8 expression after treatment with EAM250, EAM500 and EAM1000. Type 1 Collagen expression in gingiva increased significantly after treatment with ethanol extract of Eleutherine americana Merr in accordance with the dose.

Eleutherine americana Merr decreases expression of Matrix-Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and increased expression of type 1 collagen in gingival tissue of the periodontitis rat models.