Kaempferia pandurata Roxb. inhibits Porphyromonas gingivalis supernatant-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression via signal transduction in human oral epidermoid cells.

BACKGROUND

Kaempferia pandurata Roxb., an edible tropical medicinal plant (Zingiberaceae), has been traditionally used to treat dental caries. However, its efficacy on inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 for preventing periodontal inflammation has been rarely studied to date.

OBJECTIVE

This present study was focused to investigate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Kaempferia pandurata Roxb. on inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis supernatant-induced MMP-9 expression through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in human oral epidermoid KB cells.

METHODS

MMP-9 expression and its signaling pathways in KB cells induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis supernatant were determined by gelatin zymogram, Western blotting and reporter gene assays.

RESULTS

Kaempferia pandurata significantly decreased MMP-9 expression at both protein and mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. Kaempferia pandurata interfered Porphyromonas gingivalis supernatant-induced MMP-9 expression in KB cells by downregulating MAPK phosphorylation (extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2, p38 kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase), inhibiting transcriptional expression (Elk1, c-Jun and c-Fos), and blocking AP-1 and NF-kappaB activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Kaempferia pandurata could be employed as a candidate for MMP-9 inhibitor with therapeutic potential for treatment of periodontal inflammation.