Identification of an anti-inflammatory potential of Eriodictyon angustifolium compounds in human gingival fibroblasts

Polyphenol-rich plant extracts have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity against oral pathogen-induced cytokine release in model systems of inflammation. Here, it was hypothesized that a flavanone-rich extract of E. angustifolium exhibits an anti-inflammatory potential against endotoxin-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). HGF-1 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (pg-LPS) to release pro-inflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of interleukins IL-6 and IL-8 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 in the incubation media upon stimulation were determined by means of magnetic bead analysis. A crude ethanol/water extract of E. angustifolium (EE) was fractionated via gel permeation chromatography into a flavanone-rich fraction (FF) and an erionic acid-rich fraction (EF). Individual flavanones and erionic acids as well as EE, EF and FF were tested in the pg-LPS-stimulated HGF-1 cells for their anti-inflammatory potential. The E. angustifolium extract possessed anti-inflammatory potential in this model system, attenuating the pg-LPS-induced release of IL-6 by up to 52.0 +/- 15.5%. Of the individual flavanones, eriodictyol and naringenin had the most pronounced effect. However, a mixture of the flavanones did not possess the same effect as the entire flavanoid fraction, indicating that other compounds may contribute to the anti-inflammatory potential of E. angustifolium. For the first time, an anti-inflammatory potential of E. angustifolium and containing erionic acids has been determined.