Efficacy of β-caryophyllene for periodontal disease related factors.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of β-caryophyllene against periodontopathogens as well as its inhibitory effects on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and production of volatile sulfur compounds by lipopolysaccharide and periodontopathogenic enzymes, respectively.

DESIGN

The antimicrobial activity of β-caryophyllene againstPorphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola was investigated via a susceptibility assay using a microplate reader. THP-1 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide in the presence or the absence of β-caryophyllene, and the expression and production of inflammatory cytokines were then analyzed by a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After fluorescence-labelling lipopolysaccharide, the effect of β-caryophyllene on the binding of lipopolysaccharide to the cell wall was investigated via flow cytometry. The spent culture media of P. gingivalis was shaken with or without β-caryophyllene and gaseous volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) were measured by a gas chromatograph.

RESULTS

β-caryophyllene showed strong the antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogens. It also reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced expression and production of cytokines, thereby inhibiting the binding of lipopolysaccharide-binding to toll-like receptors by interfering with the complex of lipopolysaccharide and CD14 or lipopolysaccharide-binding protein. β-caryophyllene also inhibited the emission of gaseous VSCs produced byP. gingivalis.

CONCLUSIONS

β-caryophyllene may improve periodontal health via antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogens, reducing inflammation caused by lipopolysaccharide, and by neutralizing VSCs.