Objective: To observe the effects of berberine hydrochloride on the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) from human periodontal ligament cells (PDLC) in vitro culture.
Methods: Periodontal ligament was isolated from extracted human premolars, and PDLC were cultured in vitro. PDLC were divided into two groups, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group and non-lipopolysaccharide (NLPS) group. Then in accordance with the final concentrations of berberine hydrochloride in cells culture medium (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 g/L), the groups were subdivided into LPS and NLPS control group, LPS1 and NLPS1 group, LPS2 and NLPS2 group, LPS3 and NLPS3 group. Cellular concentration of MCP-1 of each group was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The MCP-1 contents were not significantly different between the groups of NLPS1, NLPS2 and NLPS3 [(11.33 ± 0.16), (11.45 ± 0.53), (11.25 ± 0.14) ng/L, respectively] and the NLPS control group [(11.32 ± 0.35) ng/L] (P = 0.692, 0.568, 0.524). MCP-1 contents in the groups of LPS1, LPS2 and LPS3 [respectively (38.14 ± 5.34), (34.15 ± 3.36), (26.13 ± 2.12) ng/L] were significantly lower than in LPS control group [(58.42 ± 1.52) ng/L], P = 0.000, 0.000, P = 0.000.
Conclusions: The inhibitory effect of berberine hydrochloride on the activities of MCP-1 from PDLC was more significant when PDLC were stimulated with LPS and in a concentration-dependent manner.