Local icariin application enhanced periodontal tissue regeneration and relieved local inflammation in a minipig model of periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Treatment should alleviate inflammation, regulate the immune reaction and promote periodontal tissue regeneration. Icariin is the main active ingredient of Epimedii Folium, and it is a promising compound for the enhancement of mesenchymal stem cell function, promotion of bone formation, inhibition of bone resorption, alleviation of inflammation and regulation of immunity. The study investigated the effect of icariin on periodontal tissue regeneration in a minipig model of periodontitis. The minipig model of periodontitis was established. Icariin was injected locally. The periodontal clinical assessment index, a computed tomography (CT) scan, histopathology and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the effects of icariin. Quantitative analysis results 12 weeks post-injection demonstrated that probing depth, gingival recession, attachment loss and alveolar bone regeneration values were (3.72 ± 1.18) mm vs. (6.56 ± 1.47) mm, (1.67 ± 0.59) mm vs. (2.38 ± 0.61) mm, (5.56 ± 1.29) mm vs. (8.61 ± 1.72) mm, and (25.65 ± 5.13) mm vs. (9.48 ± 1.78) mm in the icariin group and 0.9% NaCl group, respectively. The clinical assessment, CT scan, and histopathology results demonstrated significant enhancement of periodontal tissue regeneration in the icariin group compared to the 0.9% NaCl group. The ELISA results suggested that the concentration of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the icariin group was downregulated compared to the 0.9% NaCl group, which indicates that local injection of icariin relieved local inflammation in a minipig model of periodontitis. Local injection of icariin promoted periodontal tissue regeneration and exerted anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory function. These results support the application of icariin for the clinical treatment of periodontitis.