OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba on periodontitis mice and compare the results of the two herbs for the treatment of the periodontitis mice.

METHODSSixty-four SPF 12-week-old male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups:Control group(C); Experimental periodontitis group (P):the peridontitis models in Kunming mice were prepared by wrapping silk ligature and inoculating with putative periodontopathic bacteria; Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi treatment group (SG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi; Radix paeoniae Alba treatment group (RG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Radix paeoniae Alba.Four mice were sacrificed at each time point of the end of 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks in each group. The histopathological changes of periodontal tissue were observed under microscope with HE staining. The level of serum IgG1 and IgG2a was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .

RESULTSA serious inflammatory response, alveolar progressive absorption and a large number of osteoclasts were observed in the experimental periodontitis group.However, in SG and RG, the inflammation of the periodontal tissue was decreased and tissue repair was significant. The level of serum IgG2a in SG (6 week:0.934 ± 0.006, 8 week:0.743 ± 0.009, 10 week: 0.674 ± 0.008) and RG (6 week: 1.023 ± 0.032, 8 week: 0.851 ± 0.032, 10 week:0.790 ± 0.009) was significantly decreased after the mice were gavaged with the two herbs(P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG2a in SG was significantly lower than that of RG (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG (6 week: 0.314 ± 0.006, 8 week: 0.344 ± 0.004, 10 week: 0.367 ± 0.006) and RG (6 week: 0.287 ± 0.005, 8 week: 0.303 ± 0.058, 10 week: 0.336 ± 0.006) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG was significantly higher than that of RG (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba showed therapeutic effect on periodontitis in mice.Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi was more effective than Radix paeoniae Alba.