Resveratrol Inhibited Inflammation and Alveolar Bone Loss in Periodontitis - Special Issue

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory properties, exists widely in many kinds of plants. Previous studies indicated that resveratrol can inhibit osteoclast differentiation and promote osteoblast formation. We hypothesized that resveratrol can influence the bone metabolism in inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis, depending on its anti-inflammatory and bone-protective features. In the present study, the rat periodontitis model was established to investigate the effects of resveratrol on alveolar bone destruction and gingival inflammation. We found that resveratrol significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in diseased periodontal tissue. RANKL, the intensive osteoclast inducer, was elevated in periodontitis tissue while significantly inhibited by resveratrol administration. The alveolar bone absorption was also significantly arrested in resveratrol treated rats, compared to vehicle treated rats. These results suggest that resveratrol can inhibit the inflammation and protect the alveolar bone from periodontitis, implying resveratrol may be considered as new adjunctive therapy in addition to traditional mechanical treatment for periodontitis.