Alveolar Bone Protective Effect of Hiziki Extracts on the Progression of Periodontitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hiziki extract on alveolar bone loss, inflammation, and osteo-biomarker expression in hPDL cells (10, 50, 100 μg/ml final concentrations in culture medium) and on a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model (50, 100, 200 mg/kg with oral administration). Hiziki extract increased alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation in hPDL cell. In western blot analysis, hiziki extract resulted in increased expression of osteoblast markers, including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), SMAD anchor for receptor activation (SARA) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in hDPL cells. Additionally, expression of osteoclast markers and inflammatory cytokines was inhibited, which were receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), RANK receptor (RANKL) and nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). Hiziki extract also prevented alveolar bone loss in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model through reducing the distance between cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest (CBJ-ABC) and furcation involvement. These findings suggested that hiziki extract has prophylactic potential for the prevention of periodontitis through anti-inflammation and, anti-bone resorption effects and the inhibition of alveolar bone destruction.