Therapeutic Potential of Ginger Exosome-Like Nanoparticles for Alleviating Periodontitis-Induced Tissue Damage

Int J Nanomedicine. 2024 Nov 15:19:11941-11956. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S483091. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Purpose: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory oral disease that causes defects in periodontal tissue. Conventional therapies are limited, and often lead to high recurrence rates. The emerging concept of medicinal food homology has shed light on the potential of ginger as a therapeutic adjuvant for periodontitis, given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, fresh ginger exhibits poor stability and bioavailability. Ginger exosome-like nanoparticles (GELNs), a derivative of ginger, have not been reported to exert therapeutic effects in periodontitis. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of GELNs on tissue damage caused by periodontitis and their underlying mechanisms of action.

Methods: The GELNs composition was analyzed using a widely targeted metabolome. Stability was assessed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and zeta potential measurements, flavor was evaluated using an electronic nose, and membrane penetration was studied using confocal microscopy. A periodontitis model was established in SD rats, periodontal clinical indicators were monitored, and histological changes were assessed using H&E and TRAP staining. Co-culture experiments investigate the antioxidant and reparative abilities of GELNs on periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) in inflammatory environment. NF-κB protein expression was examined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.

Results: The findings revealed that GELNs demonstrated good stability in different environments and mitigated the pungent taste of the raw ginger. In vivo experiments showed that GELNs improved periodontal clinical parameters and pathology compared with ginger juice. In vitro data suggested that GELNs enhanced the proliferation and migration of PDLFs while reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in an inflammatory setting.

Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that GELNs have a potential therapeutic effect on periodontitis. GELNs can alleviate oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings provide a promising method for the treatment of periodontitis by regulating an unbalanced OS state.

Keywords: ginger exosome-like nanoparticles; oxidative stress; periodontal ligament fibroblasts; periodontitis; tissue repair.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Exosomes* / chemistry
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Periodontal Ligament / drug effects
  • Periodontitis* / drug therapy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley*
  • Zingiber officinale* / chemistry

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Antioxidants
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82071155, 82271023, 82301052), Basic Research Program of Shanxi Province (Distinguished Young Scholars)(202203021223006), Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Research of Shanxi (2024ZYYC073), Graduate Education Innovation Project of Shanxi Province (2023SJ139), Health Commission of Shanxi Province (No. 2022XM14), and the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province (202203021222266, 202203021212368, 202303021212132, 202303021212131, 202403021212211).