Increasing fibroblasts and gingival collagen density in periodontitis rats by using cassava leaf extract

Abstract

Objectives: Porphyromonas gingivalis, as the main etiology of periodontitis, causes inflammation in the periodontal tissue, which triggers the immune response, fibroblast decline, and collagen destruction, generating attachment loss. Fibroblasts and collagen perform a fundamental role in the repair process of periodontal tissue. This study examined the potential of cassava leaf extract in increasing the quantity of fibroblasts and collagen density in the gingiva of rats with periodontitis.

Methods: A posttest-only control group was used in this study. The experiment involved 24 male Wistar rats divided into four different groups: control group, group induced by P. gingivalis and given aquadest, group induced by P. gingivalis and given metronidazole, and group induced by P. gingivalis and given cassava leaf extract. Gingival tissue was taken after euthanasia, after which histological preparations were made, and fibroblasts and collagen were observed.

Results: One-way analysis of variance revealed that the collagen density and fibroblasts quantity showed a notable difference between each group (p < 0.05), and interestingly, there was no significant difference between metronidazole and cassava leaf extract in the least significant difference test results (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Cassava leaf extract has the potential to increase fibroblast quantity and collagen density in the gingiva of periodontitis rat models.

Keywords: Cassava leaf extract; Collagen; Fibroblasts; Periodontitis.

Figure 1

Histological appearance of the rat gingiva with H&E staining (1000 × magnification). (A.1) Buccal gingiva (K); (A.2) lingual gingiva (K); (B.1) buccal gingiva (K−); (B.2) lingual gingiva (K−); (C.1) buccal gingiva (K+); (C.2) lingual gingiva (K+); (D.1) buccal gingiva (EC); (D.2) lingual gingiva (EC). Yellow arrows indicate fibroblast cells.

Figure 2

Histological appearance of the rat gingiva with Picrosirius Red staining (1000 × magnification). (A.1) Buccal gingiva (K); (A.2) lingual gingiva (K); (B.1) buccal gingiva (K−); (B.2) lingual gingiva (K−); (C.1) buccal gingiva (K+); (C.2) lingual gingiva (K+); (D.1) buccal gingiva (EC); (D.2) lingual gingiva (EC). Yellow arrows indicate collagen fibers.

Figure 3

An overview of the collagen density of each group analyzed with ImageJ software. (A.1) Buccal gingiva (K); (A.2) lingual gingiva (K); (B.1) buccal gingiva (K−); (B.2) lingual gingiva (K−); (C.1) buccal gingiva (K+); (C.2) lingual gingiva (K+); (D.1) buccal gingiva (EC); (D.2) lingual gingiva (EC). Yellow arrows indicate collagen density.

Figure 4

Bar chart showing mean fibroblasts in the rat gingiva of periodontitis model and LSD test results. Information: K = Control group (not induced by P. gingivalis). K− = P. gingivalis induction rat group + aquadest. K+ = P. gingivalis + metronidazole induction rat group. KE = P. gingivalis induction rat group + cassava leaf extract (∗p < 0.05).

Figure 5

The bar chart presents the mean gingival collagen density of the rat model of periodontitis and the results of the LSD test. Information: K = Control group (not induced by P. gingivalis). K− = P. gingivalis induction rat group + aquadest. K+ = P. gingivalis + metronidazole induction rat group. KE = P. gingivalis induction rat group + cassava leaf extract (∗p < 0.05).