Anti-inflammatory and Bone Protective Effects of Quercetin on Peri-implantitis in Rats via TLR4/NF-κB Pathway

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2026.04.007

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To explore the anti-inflammatory and bone protective effects of quercetin (QU) on peri-implantitis (PI) rats. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group (Ctrl group), the peri-implantitis group (PI group), and the treatment group (QU group). The inflammation indexes of implant in rats were detected. The bone height and bone density around the implant were measured. HE staining was employed to examine the pathological alterations of the gingival tissue surrounding the implant. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in gingival tissue and the contents of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and collagen type Ⅱ (COL-Ⅱ) in gingival crevicular fluid were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of bone metabolism and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins. Results: Compared with the Ctrl group, the PPD, BI and GI values, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, MMP-8 and COL-Ⅱ levels, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the PI group (P<0.05). Notably, significant reductions (P<0.05) were observed in the bone height and bone mineral density on the distal, proximal, buccal, and palatal aspects of the implant. Additionally, the expression level of the OPG protein exhibited a substantial decrease. When compared to the PI group, the QU group demonstrated significant decreases (P<0.05) in multiple parameters. Specifically, the pocket probing depth (PPD), bleeding index (BI), and gingival index (GI) values were notably lower. Additionally, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, MMP-8 and COL-Ⅱ were significantly reduced. The protein expression levels of receptor activator of RANKL, TLR4, and the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were also substantially decreased in the QU group.The bone height and bone mineral density of the distal, proximal, buccal and palatal sides of the implant and the expression level of OPG protein exhibited a notable and significant increase (P<0.05). Conclusion: Quercetin can effectively reduce the inflammatory response and bone resorption in rats with peri-implantitis, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Key words: peri-implantitis, quercetin, bone metabolism, TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

HE Chenggong, LI Yanbo, SU Danni, LI Chunjia, LIU Rui. Anti-inflammatory and Bone Protective Effects of Quercetin on Peri-implantitis in Rats via TLR4/NF-κB Pathway[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2026, 42(4): 306-311.

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