Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periodontium, characterized by destruction of the tooth supporting tissues including alveolar bone and mediated by various pro-inflammatory mediators. Here, we demonstrated that HP08-0106, composed of four crude drugs-Gardenia jasminoides Grandiflora, Angelica gigas Nakai, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Schizonepeta tenuifolia in a weight ratio of 2:2:1:2, perturbs inflammatory responses, osteoclast formation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and alveolar bone resorption in ligature-induced periodontitis. HP08-0106 decreased the protein level of iNOS and COX2 as well as the secreted level of IL-1β, indicating that HP08-0106 has antiinflammatory effects. HP08-0106 also inhibited the expression of genes associated with osteoclastogenesis including c-Fos, MMP-9 and TRAP. Moreover, HP08-0106 exhibited a protective effect from alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis animal models. Our results strongly suggest that HP08-0106 represent an important therapeutic tool to treat inflammatory disorders associated with bone loss such as periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periodontium and is characterized by destruction of the tooth supporting tissues, mediated by the upregulation of synthesis and release of a variety of pro-inflammatory factors. Inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins upregulate RANKL and its subsequent binding to RANK stimulates osteoclast formation, resorption activity, and survival. In our present study, we investigated the effects of HP08-0111, composed of Coptis japonica (Thunb.) Makino, vitamin C and vitamin E, upon inflammatory responses, osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss. HP08-0111 decreased the expression of IL-1β and COX2 on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and inhibited osteoclast-specific genes such as c-Fos, MMP-9, and TRAP. HP08-0111 also exhibited protective effects against alveolar bone loss in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis. Our results suggest that HP08-0111 is potentially an important therapeutic tool for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss such as periodontitis.