Effect of Tetragonula laeviceps propolis from Thailand on periodontal ligament fibroblast

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of propolis from Thai Tetragonula laeviceps (Thai stingless bee) on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF). Periodontal ligament fibroblasts obtained from Science CellTM were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The cytotoxicity of propolis was assayed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The cell proliferation assay was evaluated in the presence and absence of propolis at different concentrations at day 1, 4, 7, and 10. The horizontal migration assay was performed using scratched assay in monolayer culture, and vertical migration assay was done in a Boyden chamber, stained with toluidine blue O then counted. The antioxidant activity of propolis was measured based on the scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH). The effect of propolis on bone regeneration was determined using alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation assay. The results showed that propolis, up to 200 mg/ml, respectively, produced no toxicity to PDLF. It was also found that at low concentration propolis could promote PDLF proliferation and cell migration. The antioxidant activity of propolis was dose dependent. It was found that the higher the concentration the higher antioxidant effect. Alkaline phosphatase activity was found to increase markedly at day 14 then decrease in all groups. It was found that propolis could induce nodule formation. In conclusion, propolis from T. laeviceps can promote PDLF cell proliferation, migration and differentiation.