Myricetin blocks lipoteichoic acid-induced COX-2 expression in human gingival fibroblasts

Periodontitis is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms present in dental bacterial plaque. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a component of the external membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. It causes septic shock. Ingested flavonoids have been reported to directly affect the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression induced by bacterial toxins. In this study, we examined the effects of four flavonoids (luteolin, fisetin, morin and myricetin) on the activation of ERK1/2, p38 and AKT, and on the synthesis of COX-2 in human gingival fibroblasts treated with LTA from Streptococcus sanguinis. We found that luteolin and myricetin blocked AKT and p38 activation and that myricetin blocked LTA-induced COX-2 expression. The results of our study are important for elucidating the mechanism of action of flavonoid regulation of inflammatory responses.