Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of vitexin (VTX) on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human dental pulp stem cells(hDPSCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: hDPSCs were isolated and cultured, and CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of VTX on proliferation of hDPSCs. hDPSCs were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank group (without LPS and VTX),LPS group (2 μg/mL LPS),2 μg/mL LPS + 25 μmol/L VTX,2 μg/mL LPS + 50 μmol/L VTX. The cells of all groups were cultured for 48 h. The gene levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in hDPSCs were detected by real time qPCR(RT-qPCR). The change of COX-2 and MAPKs signaling pathways were detected by Western blot. SPSS 16.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: When the VTX concentration was less than 200 μmol/L, the cell viability was not affected(P>0.05). VTX at 25 and 50 μmol/L significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 at gene levels and COX-2 at protein level (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VTX significantly inhibited the activation of ERK and p38 signaling pathway. VTX can reduce LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression in hDPSCs via restraining the activation of ERK and p38 signaling pathway.

Key words: Vitexin, Human dental pulp stem cells, Inflammatory cytokine, MAPKs