MMP-1 and TIMP-1 production in PDLC: the role of baicalin

Objectives: Baicalin, an active ingredient from scutellaric baicalensis georgi (Huang-Chin, HC), which was a traditional Chinese herb, and our previous research had proved that baicalin could inhibit the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in periodontal ligament cells (PDLC) by cell immunocytochemistry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory effects of baicalin on MMP-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase -1 production level in human periodontal ligament cells.Methods: Periodontal ligament cells were cultured and treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), interleukin-1 beta, and baicalin. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to identify mRNA levels for MMP-1 and TIMP-1. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assessed the MMP-1 protein.Results: Both PMA and IL-1 beta induce the MMP-1 mRNA expression and increased the MMP-1 protein level in PDLC, but IL-1 beta had no significant effect on the TIMP-1 mRNA expression. Moreover, baicalin could inhibit the PMA/IL-1 beta induced expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1.Conclusions: The present study suggests that baicalin inhibits PMA or IL-1 beta induction of MMP-1 by altering the mRNA and protein level , which support a possible mechanism of action that baicalin might stabilize the cell membrane and inhibit the release of enzymes. Furthermore, these results benefit the continued investigation of baicalin as potential therapeutic agents in periodontal disease.