Panax notoginseng saponins improve oral submucous fibrosis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2024 Jun;137(6):651-661. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2024.03.011. Epub 2024 Mar 22.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, insidious, progressive mucosal disease that may be affected by mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) is a powerful anti-fibrosis agent; however, its effect and mechanism in treating OSF remain unclear. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of PNS treatment for OSF.

STUDY DESIGN: Arecoline was used to induce OSF models in vivo and in vitro, which were then treated with PNS. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome staining were used to observe histopathology changes; E-cadherin and β-catenin were detected by Immunohistochemical assay, and type Ⅰ collagen (CollA1) and β-catenin were detected by immunofluorescent staining. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway and fibrosis signs were assessed using Western Blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS: The expression of CollA1, Wnt1, and β-catenin were increased, and E-cadherin, GSK-3β, and β-catenin expression were decreased in OSF models. PNS and inhibitor intervention increased E-cadherin, Wnt1, and β-catenin and decreased CollA1 and GSK-3β in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION: PNS can improve OSF by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway and thus may be used as a potential medicine for the treatment of OSF.

PMID:38632037 | DOI:10.1016/j.oooo.2024.03.011