Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease that affects gingival tissues through a microbe-immune interaction.
Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJD) is used traditionally for clearing and detoxifying in China, which had been reported to possess many pharmacological effects. Rat gingival
inflammation model was established by
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection for 3 consecutive days, and HLJD was given by gavage before LPS injection. After 3 days rats were sacrificed and tissue samples were evaluated. Serum
cytokine levels such as
interleukin-6 (IL-6) and
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by
enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative stress related molecules such as total
antioxidant capacity (T-AOC),
malondialdehyde (MDA), and
reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. Expression of
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and
extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway were inspected by western blotting. Histological changes of gingival tissues were tested with
hematoxylin-
eosin (HE) staining. HLJD significantly decreased serum levels of
IL-6 and TNF-α, suppressed generation of MDA and ROS, and enhanced T-AOC creation. Moreover, HLJD inhibited expressions of AMPK and ERK1/2. The
inflammation severity of gingival tissue by HE staining was severe in model group but relieved in HLJD group obviously. HLJD exhibited protective effects against gingival damage through suppressing
inflammation reaction and elevating antioxidation power.