Alyssin modulates inflammatory mediator expression in TNF-α-stimulated human periodontal ligament cells

OBJECTIVES: Alyssin is an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous plants, and it has been reported to have physiologically active effects. However, there have been no attempts to use alyssin for the treatment of periodontitis, and there are no reports investigating the effects of alyssin on periodontal tissue component cells. In this study, experiments were conducted to determine whether alyssin has an anti-inflammatory effect on human periodontal ligament cells. METHODS: Cytokine production in supernatant was measured by ELISA. Activation of signal transduction pathways and intracellular protein expression were examined using the western blot analysis. RESULTS: We found that alyssin suppressed the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α -induced production of interleukin (IL)-6 and C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)20, as well as the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). We also found that alyssin inhibited the TNF-α-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3, and p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) in HPDLCs. Furthermore, we found that the expression of NF-E2-related factor (Nrf)2, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)1, which are antioxidant enzymes, were enhanced by alyssin treatment in HPDLCs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that alyssin may attenuate the expression of inflammatory mediators in human periodontal ligament cells by suppressing the activation of NF-κB, STAT3 and p70S6K. Alyssin also increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes.