The osteogenic effects of sappanchalcone in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Background and Objectives The utilization of natural products to enhance the function of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) has emerged as a popular area of research. Recent investigations have demonstrated that sappanchalcone (SC) possesses pharmacological properties such as anti‐inflammatory and osteoprotective effects. This study aims to explore the impact of SC on the in vivo and in vitro osteogenic differentiation ability of PDLCs. Materials Cell proliferation was quantified using the CCK‐8 assay, while gene expression levels were assessed through qRT–PCR analysis. Osteoblast differentiation capacity was evaluated by employing Alizarin red staining (ARS), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and western blot (WB) analysis. A rat model of periodontitis was established utilizing the tether‐wire method. Micro‐CT imaging and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were employed to evaluate alveolar bone resorption. Masson's trichrome staining was utilized to observe fiber alignment, whereas immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques were applied for detecting osteogenic and inflammatory factors. Results The results from the CCK‐8 assay indicate no observed cytotoxicity for concentrations of 1, 5, or 10 nM for SC treatment ( p < .05), while qRT–PCR analysis demonstrates a significant decrease in inflammatory factors such as MMP‐1 and IL‐6 with treatment by SC ( p < .05). Additionally, western blotting reveals an increase in protein expression levels of Runx2 and OPN within PDLCs treated with SC compared to control groups ( p < .05), which is further supported by ARS and ALP staining indicating an increase in mineralized nodules formation along with elevated ALP content within these cells following treatment with this compound ( p < .05). Finally, both HE staining as well as micro‐CT imaging suggest potential benefits associated with using this compound including slowing alveolar bone resorption while simultaneously promoting junctional epithelium proliferation. Conclusions Our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that SC can effectively enhance the inflammatory response of PDLCs and promote their osteogenic differentiation ability under inflammatory conditions, indicating its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for improving periodontal inflammation and bone formation.