Abstract
AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Kava-241, an optimized Piper methysticum Kava compound, on periodontal destruction in a collagen antibody primed oral gavage model of periodontitis.
MethodsExperimental periodontitis was induced by oral gavage of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) + type II collagen antibody (AB) in mice during 15days. Mice were treated with Kava-241 concomitantly or prior to P.gingivalis gavage and compared to untreated mice. Comprehensive histomorphometric analyses were performed.
ResultsOral gavage with P.gingivalis induced mild epithelial down-growth and alveolar bone loss, while oral gavage with additional AB priming had greater tissular destruction in comparison with gavage alone (p<.05). Kava-241 treatment significantly (p<.05) reduced epithelial down-growth (72%) and alveolar bone loss (36%) in P.gingivalis+AB group. This Kava-241 effect was associated to a reduction in inflammatory cell counts within soft tissues and an increase in fibroblasts (p<.05).
ConclusionPriming with type II collagen antibody with oral gavage is a fast and reproducible model of periodontal destruction adequate for the evaluation of novel therapeutics. The effect of Kava-241 shows promise in the prevention and treatment of inflammation and alveolar bone loss associated with periodontitis. Further experiments are required to determine molecular pathways targeted by this therapeutic agent.