The effects of taxifolin on alveolar bone in experimental periodontitis in rats

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of taxifolin, a powerful antioxidant, on the progression of periodontitis by immunohistochemical and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination.

Design: This study was performed with 32 rats in four experimental groups: a non-ligated group (Control, n = 8), periodontitis group (Perio, n = 8), periodontitis with 1 mg/kg/day taxifolin group (Taxi-1, n = 8), and periodontitis with 10 mg/kg/day taxifolin group (Taxi-10, n = 8). A ligature-induced experimental periodontitis design was used. All rats were sacrificed at 30 days. Alveolar bone loss was determined by CBCT. Hematoxylin-eosin stained slides were examined. The expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type I (Col 1), Bcl-2, Bax, and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) were determined immunohistochemically.

Results: Both doses of taxifolin showed a decrease in alveolar bone loss. The inflammatory reaction was higher in the Perio group and lower in the taxifolin groups. BMP-2, OCN, ALP, and Col 1 expression were dose-dependently elevated in the taxifolin groups. RANKL immunoexpression decreased with both doses of taxifolin. Bcl-2 expression increased and Bax expression decreased in the taxifolin groups.

Conclusion: Taxifolin successfully reduced apoptosis and improved bone formation in alveolar bone in this experimental periodontitis model.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Apoptosis; Bone formation; Cone-beam computed tomography; Dihydroquercetin; Experimental periodontitis; Immunohistochemistry; RANKL; Rat; Reactive oxygen species; Taxifolin.