OBJECTIVETo 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.

METHODSPeriodontal 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.

RESULTSThe 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.

CONCLUSIONSThe 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.