6-Shogaol, an active ingredient of ginger, inhibits osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone resorption in ligature-induced periodontitis in mice

Inhibition of PKM2 suppresses osteoclastogenesis and alleviates bone loss in mouse periodontitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic periodontitis triggers an increase in osteoclastogenesis, with glycolysis playing a crucial role in this process. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a critical enzyme involved in glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism. Yet, the precise function of PKM2 in osteoclasts and their formation remains unclear and requires further investigation.

METHODS

Bioinformatics was used to investigate critical biological processes in osteoclastogenesis. In vitro, osteoclastogenesis was analyzed using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, phalloidin staining, quantitative real‑time PCR (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) of PKM2 and Shikonin, a specific inhibitor of PKM2, were used to verify the role of PKM2 in osteoclastogenesis. The mouse model of periodontitis was used to assess the effect of shikonin on bone loss. Analyses included micro computed tomography, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, TRAP staining and HE staining.

RESULTS

Bioinformatic analysis revealed a significant impact of glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism on osteoclastogenesis. Inhibition of PKM2 leads to a significant reduction in osteoclastogenesis. In vitro, co-culture of the heat-killed Porphyromonas gingivalis significantly promoted osteoclastogenesis, concomitant with an increased PKM2 expression in osteoclasts. Shikonin weakened the promoting effect of porphyromonas gingivalis on osteoclastogenesis. In vivo experiments demonstrated that inhibition of PKM2 by shikonin alleviated bone loss induced by periodontitis, suppressed excessive osteoclastogenesis in alveolar bone, and reduced tissue inflammation to some extent.

CONCLUSION

PKM2 inhibition by shikonin, a specific inhibitor of this enzyme, attenuated osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in periodontitis. Shikonin appears to be a promising therapeutic agent for treating periodontitis.

Association between periodontitis and inflammatory comorbidities: The common role of innate immune cells, underlying mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Periodontitis, which is related to various systemic diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by periodontal dysbiosis of the microbiota. Multiple factors can influence the interaction of periodontitis and associated inflammatory disorders, among which host immunity is an important contributor to this interaction. Innate immunity can be activated aberrantly because of the systemic inflammation induced by periodontitis. This aberrant activation not only exacerbates periodontal tissue damage but also impairs systemic health, triggering or aggravating inflammatory comorbidities. Therefore, innate immunity is a potential therapeutic target for periodontitis and associated inflammatory comorbidities. This review delineates analogous aberrations of innate immune cells in periodontitis and comorbid conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanisms behind these changes in innate immune cells are discussed, including trained immunity and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which can mediate the abnormal activation and myeloid-biased differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Besides, the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which have immunosuppressive and osteolytic effects on peripheral tissues, also contributes to the interaction between periodontitis and its inflammatory comorbidities. The potential treatment targets for relieving the risk of both periodontitis and systemic conditions are also elucidated, such as the modulation of innate immunity cells and mediators, the regulation of trained immunity and CHIP, as well as the inhibition of MDSCs' expansion.

Effectiveness of Calcium Hydroxide and Gingerols Mixture as a Novel Obturation Material for Infected Root in Primary Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction

The tendency to use dental materials of plant origin is one of the prevailing trends in dentistry to reduce exposure to materials that could have some toxic impact in the long term.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of calcium hydroxide combined with gingerols (Ginge-Cal) as a novel obturation material for treating infected primary teeth and decreasing the recurrence of infection.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted on 30 lower primary molars with infected pulp for children aged 4-8 years. The sample was randomly divided into two groups depending on the tested obturation material: Ginge-Cal group and the Metapex group. The evaluation was done by different parameters clinically and radiographically at various intervals up to 12 months.

Results

Based on chi-squared and McNamara's test with a 5% significance level, the clinical results indicated that Ginge-Cal group was more effective than the Metapex group in reducing or eliminating pain (P=0.467) after 1 week, sensitivity to percussion (P=0.090) at 3 months of follow-up, purulent swelling (P=0.444) at 6 and 9 months of follow-up, fistula, and tooth mobility. The radiographic results, based on the periapical and furcation area radiolucency at 12 months of follow-up, favored Ginge-Cal group over the Metapex group (P=0.683), (P=0.456), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in pathological root resorption and periodontal space. The differences within the Ginge-Cal group were directly influenced by the time intervals in a statistically significant manner, ranging from (P=0.004) to (P < 0.001). The success percentage was 87.5% for Ginge-Cal group and 64.3% for Metapex group.

Conclusions

Ginge-Cal can be considered a promising material for treating the infected root canal when used as an obturation material for the infected root canal. This trial is registered with NCT05181813.

An overview of 6-shogaol: new insights into its pharmacological properties and potential therapeutic activities

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has traditionally been used as a cooking spice and herbal medicine for treating nausea and vomiting. More recently, ginger was found to effectively reduce the risk of diseases such as gastroenteritis, migraine, gonarthritis, etc., due to its various bioactive compounds. 6-Shogaol, the pungent phenolic substance in ginger, is the most pharmacologically active among such compounds. The aim of the present study was to review the pharmacological characteristic of 6-shogaol, including the properties of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumour, and its corresponding molecular mechanism. With its multiple mechanisms, 6-shogaol is considered a beneficial natural compound, and therefore, this review will shed some light on the therapeutic role of 6-shogaol and provide a theoretical basis for the development and clinical application of 6-shogaol.

6-Shogaol Ameliorates Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Mice on a Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Cell Death, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming an increasingly serious global health threat, distinguished by hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. There is a lack of approved pharmaceutical interventions for this disease, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment. This study explores the hepatoprotective potential of 6-shogaol, a natural compound derived from ginger, in a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) dietary mouse model of NASH. Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to the MCD diet for 4 weeks to induce NASH, with concurrent intraperitoneal administration of 6-shogaol (20 mg/kg) three times a week. While 6-shogaol did not impact body weight, liver weight, or hepatic lipid accumulation, it effectively mitigated liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in MCD diet-fed mice. Mechanistically, 6-shogaol inhibited lipid and DNA oxidation, restored hepatic glutathione levels, and regulated the expression of pro-oxidant and antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, 6-shogaol inhibited apoptosis and necroptosis, as indicated by a decrease in TUNEL-stained cells and downregulation of apoptosis- and necroptosis-associated proteins. Additionally, 6-shogaol alleviated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as demonstrated by decreased expression of molecules associated with unfolded protein response pathways. These findings underscore the potential of 6-shogaol as a therapeutic intervention for NASH by targeting pathways related to oxidative stress, cell death, and ER stress.

The homeostasis and therapeutic applications of innate and adaptive immune cells in periodontitis

OBJECTIVES

Periodontitis (PD) is one of the most common dental disorders. This chronic oral inflammation is caused by complicated interrelations between bacterial infections, dysregulated immune reactions, and environmental risk factors. A dysregulated immune response can lead to inflammatory bone resorption by allowing the recruitment of pro-inflammatory immune cells to the periodontal tissues.

SUBJECTS

The recruitment of innate and adaptive immune cells in PD initiates the acute and following chronic inflammatory processes. The inflamed tissues, on the other hand, can be restored if the anti-inflammatory lineages are predominantly established in the periodontal tissues. Therefore, we aimed to review the published literature to provide an overview of the existing knowledge about the role of immune cells in PD, as well as their possible therapeutic applications.

RESULTS

Experimental studies showed that drugs/systems that negatively regulate inflammatory cells in the body, as well as interventions aimed at increasing the number of anti-inflammatory cells such as Tregs and Bregs, can both help in the healing process of PD.

CONCLUSION

Targeting immune cells or their positive/negative manipulations has been demonstrated to be an effective therapeutic method. However, to use this sort of immunotherapy in humans, further pre-clinical investigations, as well as randomized clinical trials, are required.

Periodontitis promotes bacterial extracellular vesicle-induced neuroinflammation in the brain and trigeminal ganglion

Gram-negative bacteria derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), also known as outer membrane vesicles, have attracted significant attention due to their pathogenic roles in various inflammatory diseases. We recently demonstrated that EVs secreted by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and that their extracellular RNA cargo can promote the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, in the brain. To gain more insight into the relationship between periodontal disease (PD) and neuroinflammatory diseases, we investigated the effect of Aa EVs in a mouse model of ligature-induced PD. When EVs were administered through intragingival injection or EV-soaked gel, proinflammatory cytokines were strongly induced in the brains of PD mice. The use of TLR (Toll-like receptor)-reporter cell lines and MyD88 knockout mice confirmed that the increased release of cytokines was triggered by Aa EVs via TLR4 and TLR8 signaling pathways and their downstream MyD88 pathway. Furthermore, the injection of EVs through the epidermis and gingiva resulted in the direct retrograde transfer of Aa EVs from axon terminals to the cell bodies of trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and the subsequent activation of TG neurons. We also found that the Aa EVs changed the action potential of TG neurons. These findings suggest that EVs derived from periodontopathogens such as Aa might be involved in pathogenic pathways for neuroinflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and other systemic inflammatory symptoms as a comorbidity of periodontitis.

"Medicine food homology" plants promote periodontal health: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and inhibition of bone resorption

"Medicine food homology" (MFH) is a term with a lengthy history. It refers to the fact that a lot of traditional natural products have both culinary and therapeutic benefits. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of MFH plants and their secondary metabolites have been confirmed by numerous research. A bacterially generated inflammatory illness with a complicated pathophysiology, periodontitis causes the loss of the teeth's supporting tissues. Several MFH plants have recently been shown to have the ability to prevent and treat periodontitis, which is exhibited by blocking the disease's pathogens and the virulence factors that go along with them, lowering the host's inflammatory reactions and halting the loss of alveolar bone. To give a theoretical foundation for the creation of functional foods, oral care products and adjuvant therapies, this review has especially explored the potential medicinal benefit of MFH plants and their secondary metabolites in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Unloading of occlusal force aggravates alveolar bone loss in periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Periodontitis (PD), a chronic infectious inflammatory disease initiated by bacteria, is associated with several local contributing factors including occlusal trauma. Previous studies have found that the traumatic occlusal force could aggravate alveolar bone loss during PD. However, the effect of reduced occlusal force during PD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of occlusal force unloading on PD onset and progression and its underlying mechanism as an effort to provide restoration suggestions for PD patients with dentition defect in clinic. This study might also propose occlusal force unloading could be a new local contributing factor for PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a PD model by the ligation of 5-0 silk around the mandibular left first molar (PD group) and an unloading experiment model by the extraction of their left maxillary first molar (EX group). The THP-1-derived macrophages were used to verify in vivo results.

RESULTS

Micro-CT scanning and H&E staining results consistently showed that PD + EX group experienced the most severe alveolar bone resorption as compared to PD group and control group. Further RNA-sequencing analysis suggested that occlusal force unloading significantly enhanced osteoclastic resorption, inhibited osteoblastic activity, and promotes M1 and M2 macrophages polarization. Immunofluorescence staining (IF) results showed that compared with the PD group, PD + EX group significantly increased the ratio of M1/M2 polarization. Similar results were observed by RT-qPCR and IF in vitro: removal of compressive force led to an increased ratio of M1/M2 polarization in LPS-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that occlusal force unloading aggravates bone resorption by increasing the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages polarization during PD, suggesting a previously unknown local contributing factor for PD, and providing a novel insight for dentists to restore missing teeth as an effort to maintain remaining dentition.

Toward the use ofBoesenbergia rotundaextracts and the chalcone panduratin A to treat periodontitis

Novel affordable medications are needed to treat chronic periodontitis, which is one of the most common dental pathologies worldwide. Extracts prepared from the rhizome of the medicinal plant Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf., commonly known as fingerroot, are used to treat a variety of human pathologies. These extracts contain potent anti-inflammatory compounds, including the chalcone derivative panduratin A (Pa-A), which is the lead compound of a series of analogues, designated panduratins A to Y. The anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts of B. rotunda and the most abundant bioactive products found in these extracts (including Pa-A, 4-hydroxyoanduratin, isopanduratin, and others) have been reviewed. A standardized extract of the plant has promising utility in the treatment of gingival inflammation. The effects are characterized by three actions: (i) a direct antimicrobial effect against fungi and oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, (ii) a marked anti-inflammatory effect via a reduced production of mediators, like prostaglandin E2 and different interleukins, and (iii) a dual bone-preserving effect, with a reduction in bone resorption and an increase in bone formation. Acting as a protease inhibitor, Pa-A is one of the main active ingredients of the extract, implicated in these actions. A Pa-A-standardized extract of B. rotunda has been used in humans for treating dyspepsia. The product is safe and well-tolerated. The development of panduratin-containing dental products, for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis, has been proposed. The structural analogues, Pa-A to-Y, should also be investigated for the treatment of dental inflammation.

Immunomodulation in the Treatment of Periodontitis: Progress and Perspectives

Periodontitis is one of the most common dental diseases. Compared with healthy periodontal tissues, the immune microenvironment plays the key role in periodontitis by allowing the invasion of pathogens. It is possible that modulating the immune microenvironment can supplement traditional treatments and may even promote periodontal regeneration by using stem cells, bacteria, etc. New anti-inflammatory therapies can enhance the generation of a viable local immune microenvironment and promote cell homing and tissue formation, thereby achieving higher levels of immune regulation and tissue repair. We screened recent studies to summarize the advances of the immunomodulatory treatments for periodontitis in the aspects of drug therapy, microbial therapy, stem cell therapy, gene therapy and other therapies. In addition, we included the changes of immune cells and cytokines in the immune microenvironment of periodontitis in the section of drug therapy so as to make it clearer how the treatments took effects accordingly. In the future, more research needs to be done to improve immunotherapy methods and understand the risks and long-term efficacy of these methods in periodontitis.

Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?

In addition to the respiratory system, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strikes other systems, including the digestive, circulatory, urogenital, and even the central nervous system, as its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is expressed in various organs, such as lungs, intestine, heart, esophagus, kidneys, bladder, testis, liver, and brain. Different mechanisms, in particular, massive virus replication, extensive apoptosis and necrosis of the lung-related epithelial and endothelial cells, vascular leakage, hyper-inflammatory responses, overproduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, cytokine storm, oxidative stress, downregulation of ACE2, and impairment of the renin-angiotensin system contribute to the COVID-19 pathogenesis. Currently, COVID-19 is a global pandemic with no specific anti-viral treatment. The favorable capabilities of the ginger were indicated in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, respiratory distress, liver diseases and primary dysmenorrheal. Ginger or its compounds exhibited strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative influences in numerous animal models. This review provides evidence regarding the potential effects of ginger against SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlights its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and immunomodulatory impacts in an attempt to consider this plant as an alternative therapeutic agent for COVID-19 treatment.

Protective Effects of 6-Shogaol, an Active Compound of Ginger, in a Murine Model of Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a dose-limiting side effect of cisplatin therapy in cancer patients. However, effective therapies for cisplatin-induced AKI are not available. Oxidative stress, tubular cell death, and inflammation are known to be the major pathological processes of the disease. 6-Shogaol is a major component of ginger and exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Accumulating evidence suggest that 6-shogaol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases. However, whether 6-shogaol exerts a protective effect on cisplatin-induced renal side effect has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6-shogaol on cisplatin-induced AKI and to investigate its underlying mechanisms. An administration of 6-shogaol after cisplatin treatment ameliorated renal dysfunction and tubular injury, as shown by a reduction in serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and an improvement in histological abnormalities. Mechanistically, 6-shogaol attenuated cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and modulated the renal expression of prooxidant and antioxidant enzymes. Apoptosis and necroptosis induced by cisplatin were also suppressed by 6-shogaol. Moreover, 6-shogaol inhibited cisplatin-induced cytokine production and immune cell infiltration. These results suggest that 6-shogaol exhibits therapeutic effects against cisplatin-induced AKI via the suppression of oxidative stress, tubular cell death, and inflammation.

Application of Ligature-Induced Periodontitis in Mice to Explore the Molecular Mechanism of Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of the periodontium. In the last decade, a new murine model of periodontitis has been widely used to simulate alveolar bone resorption and periodontal soft tissue destruction by ligation. Typically, 3-0 to 9-0 silks are selected for ligation around the molars in mice, and significant bone loss and inflammatory infiltration are observed within a week. The ligature-maintained period can vary according to specific aims. We reviewed the findings on the interaction of systemic diseases with periodontitis, periodontal tissue destruction, the immunological and bacteriological responses, and new treatments. In these studies, the activation of osteoclasts, upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors, and excessive immune response have been considered as major factors in periodontal disruption. Multiple genes identified in periodontal tissues partly reflect the complexity of the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The effects of novel treatment methods on periodontitis have also been evaluated in a ligature-induced periodontitis model in mice. This model cannot completely represent all aspects of periodontitis in humans but is considered an effective method for the exploration of its mechanisms. Through this review, we aimed to provide evidence and enlightenment for future studies planning to use this model.

Phytocystatin CsinCPI-2 Reduces Osteoclastogenesis and Alveolar Bone Loss

Periodontal disease (PD) is a polymicrobial chronic inflammatory condition of the supporting tissues around the teeth, leading to the destruction of surrounding connective tissue. During the progression of PD, osteoclasts play a crucial role in the resorption of alveolar bone that eventually leads to the loss of teeth if the PD is left untreated. Therefore, the development of antiresorptive therapies targeting bone-resorbing cells will significantly benefit the treatment of PD. Here, we demonstrate the inhibitory effect of CsinCPI-2, a novel cysteine peptidase inhibitor from the orange tree, on periodontitis-induced inflammation, alveolar bone loss, and osteoclast differentiation. Using the ligature-induced periodontitis model in mice, we show that treatment with CsinCPI-2 (0.8 µg/g of body weight) significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltrate in the connective tissue and prevented the loss of alveolar bone mass (BV/TV) caused by PD, effects associated with diminished numbers of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells. Furthermore, CsinCPI-2 significantly downregulated the numbers of inflammatory cells expressing CD3, CD45, MAC387, and IL-1β. In vitro, CsinCPI-2 inhibited RANKL-induced TRAP+ multinucleated osteoclast formation in mouse bone marrow macrophage cultures in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was not due to cytotoxicity, as demonstrated by the MTT assay. CsinCPI-2 inhibited RANKL-induced mRNA expression of Acp5, Calcr, and Ctsk, as well as the RANKL-induced upregulation of Nfatc1, a crucial transcription factor for osteoclast differentiation. Based on our findings, CsinCPI-2 prevents bone loss induced by PD by controlling the inflammatory process and acting directly on osteoclastogenesis, suggesting an interesting potential for CsinCPI-2 in the strategy for PD treatment.

10-Gingerol Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 Cells and Zebrafish Osteoporotic Scales

Osteoporosis is the most common aging-associated bone disease and is caused by hyperactivation of osteoclastic activity. We previously reported that the hexane extract of ginger rhizome [ginger hexane extract (GHE)] could suppress receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells. However, the anti-osteoclastic components in GHE have not yet been identified. In this study, we separated GHE into several fractions using silica gel column chromatography and evaluated their effects on osteoclastogenesis using a RAW264.7 cell osteoclast differentiation assay (in vitro) and the zebrafish scale model of osteoporosis (in vivo). We identified that the fractions containing 10-gingerol suppressed osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells detected by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. In zebrafish, GHE and 10-gingerol suppressed osteoclastogenesis in prednisolone-induced osteoporosis regenerated scales to promote normal regeneration. Gene expression analysis revealed that 10-gingerol suppressed osteoclast markers in RAW264.7 cells [osteoclast-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor, dendrocyte-expressed seven transmembrane protein, and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (Mmp9)] and zebrafish scales [osteoclast-specific cathepsin K (CTSK), mmp2, and mmp9]. Interestingly, nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1, a master transcription regulator of osteoclast differentiation upstream of the osteoclastic activators, was downregulated in zebrafish scales but showed no alteration in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, 10-gingerol inhibited CTSK activity under cell-free conditions. This is the first study, to our knowledge, that has found that 10-gingerol in GHE could suppress osteoclastic activity in both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (ZRR, the fresh rhizoma of Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is also a traditional spice, widely used around the world. The present paper reviews advances in research relating to the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. In addition, this review also discusses some significant issues and the potential direction of future research on Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. More than 100 chemical compounds have been isolated from Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, including gingerols, essential oils, diarylheptanoids, and other compounds. Modern studies have confirmed that Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens has pharmacological effects on the nervous system and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, as well as antiemetic, antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, the modern studies of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens are still not complete and more bioactive components and potential pharmacological effects need to be explored in the future. There is no unified standard to evaluate the quality and clinical efficacy of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. Therefore, we should establish reasonable, accurate, and reliable quality control standards to make better use of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens.

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A wide variety of antioxidant properties are attributed to ginger (Zingiber officinale) and several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the effect of ginger intake on major oxidative stress (OS) parameters. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of using ginger to improve OS levels. Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched up until March 2020 to gather RCTs that evaluated the impact of ginger intake on the levels and activity of OS parameters in adult subjects. Means and standard deviations for relevant OS variables were extracted and evaluated to assess the quality of the trials based on the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. The gathered data were pooled and expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Twelve trials were included in this review. Ginger intake was shown to significantly increase glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (SMD: 1.64; 95% CI: 0.43, 2.85; I2  = 86.8%) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.73; I2  = 42.8%) and significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (SMD: -0.69; 95% CI: -1.26, -0.12; I2  = 85.8%) compared to control groups. Ginger supplementation also non-significantly associated with an increase in CAT activity (SMD: 1.09; 95% CI: -0.07, 2.25; I2  = 87.6%). This systematic review and meta-analysis presents convincing evidence supporting the efficacy of ginger supplementation on improving OS levels. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: In health sciences, OS, due to its pivotal role in the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases, is a subject with a long history. Recent research strives for a safe, ideal, and effective antioxidant. Ginger is herbal medicine, which has been widely used in traditional and complementary medicine. Proving the antioxidant effect and potential benefit of ginger has positive clinical implications for the application of this practical herb.

Panax ginseng Fruit Has Anti-Inflammatory Effect and Induces Osteogenic Differentiation by Regulating Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway in In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an infectious inflammatory disease of tissues around teeth that destroys connective tissues and is characterized by the loss of periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone. A new treatment strategy is needed owing to the limitations of the current surgical treatment method and the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, here, we assessed whether Panax ginseng fruit extract (PGFE) is a new therapeutic agent for periodontitis in vitro and in vivo. According to the results, PGFE suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, and pro-inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 through heme oxygenase-1 expression in human periodontal ligament cells stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PG-LPS). In addition, the osteogenic induction of human periodontal ligament cells was inhibited by PG-LPS, and protein and mRNA levels of osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 1 (COL1), osteopontin (OPN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were increased. The efficacy of PGFE for inhibiting periodontitis in vitro was demonstrated in a representative in vitro model of periodontitis induced by ligature and PG-LPS. Subsequently, hematoxylin and eosin staining and micro-computed tomography of the euthanized experimental animal model confirmed suppressed periodontal inflammation, which is an important strategy for treating periodontitis and for recovering the resulting alveolar bone loss. Therefore, PGFE is a potential, novel therapeutic agent for periodontal diseases.

The Role of Ca2+-NFATc1 Signaling and Its Modulation on Osteoclastogenesis

The increasing of intracellular calcium concentration is a fundamental process for mediating osteoclastogenesis, which is involved in osteoclastic bone resorption. Cytosolic calcium binds to calmodulin and subsequently activates calcineurin, leading to NFATc1 activation, a master transcription factor required for osteoclast differentiation. Targeting the various activation processes in osteoclastogenesis provides various therapeutic strategies for bone loss. Diverse compounds that modulate calcium signaling have been applied to regulate osteoclast differentiation and, subsequently, attenuate bone loss. Thus, in this review, we summarized the modulation of the NFATc1 pathway through various compounds that regulate calcium signaling and the calcium influx machinery. Furthermore, we addressed the involvement of transient receptor potential channels in osteoclastogenesis.