Stevioside reduces inflammation in periodontitis by changing the oral bacterial composition and inhibiting P. gingivalis in mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Excessive sugar intake has become a major challenge in modern societies. Stevioside is a promising non-calorie sweetener with anti-inflammatory effects; however, its effects on the oral environment and periodontitis remain unclear. Therefore, this study explores the effect of stevioside on periodontitis in mice.

METHODS:

Mice were divided into four groups, namely, control, treated with water, and periodontitis models, established using 5 - 0 silk sutures ligation around the second molar then infected the oral cavity with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) viscous suspension, divided into three groups treated with 0.1% stevioside (P + S), 10% glucose (P + G), or water (P). Micro-CT scanning was used to assess alveolar bone resorption, while RT-PCR was used to evaluate the inflammatory factors expression and P. gingivalis invasion in the gingiva. The composition of the oral bacteria was analysed using 16 S rRNA sequence in the saliva. In addition, P. gingivalis was co-cultured with stevioside at different concentrations in vitro, and bacterial activity was detected via optical density values and live/dead staining. The virulence was detected using RT-PCR, while biofilm formation was detected using scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS:

Compared with 10% glucose, treatment with 0.1% stevioside reduced alveolar bone absorption and osteoclasts while decreasing IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and P. gingivalis in the gingiva of periodontitis mice. The CEJ-ABC distance in the P + S group was significantly lower than that in the P and P + G groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the composition of the oral bacteria in the P + S group was similar to that of the control. In vitro stevioside treatment also reduced the bacterial activity and toxicity of P. gingivalis in a dose-dependent manner and affected its biofilm composition.

CONCLUSION:

Our results indicate that, compared with 10% glucose, 0.1% stevioside intake can reduce alveolar bone resorption and inflammation in periodontal tissues in mice; the bacterial composition following 0.1% stevioside intake was similar to that of a healthy environment. In vitro, high concentrations of stevioside reduced P. gingivalis activity, biofilm formation, and virulence expression. Therefore, stevioside is a potential alternative to glucose for patients with periodontitis.

• Authors: Wenrui Han, Yao Jiao, Sicong Mi, Shu Han, Junji Xu, Song Li, Yi Liu, Lijia Guo
• Journal: BMC oral health (BMC Oral Health) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 550 (Aug 10 2023) ISSN: 1472-6831 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37563632 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• stevioside
• Glucose
• Water

Topics

• Mice
• Humans
• Animals
• Periodontitis (metabolism)
• Inflammation
• Alveolar Bone Loss (prevention & control)
• Bacteria
• Glucose (pharmacology)
• Water (pharmacology)
• Porphyromonas gingivalis
• Disease Models, Animal