The impact of compounds isolated from Ocimum sp. on apoptotic activity of osteoclast

Abstract

Periodontal disease has multifactorial etiol. The immune response to the microbial challenge leads to osteoclast activation and resorption of the alveolar bone, resulting in tooth loss. Compds. isolated from Ocimum americanum and Ocimum basilicum were analyzed for apoptotic activity towards osteoclast in this study. Steam distn. was used for the extn. of essential oils (EOs) from dry leaves and flowers. The assessment of apoptosis in osteoclasts was carried out through the TUNEL assay and immunocytochem. for the Fas receptor. The chem. profile of EOs, characterized through gas chromatog.-mass spectrometry anal., revealed Me cinnamate (O. americanum), linalool, caryophyllene, 1,8-cineole (O. basilicum) as major components. The results showed that essential oils were not able to induce apoptosis in osteoclast; however, linalool (50 to 300 $\mu{\$}g.ml-1) induced 75% of apoptotic osteoclasts at non-toxic concns. and the apoptotic activity was confirmed by the increasing levels of Fas receptor on osteoclasts treated with this compd. This study suggests that linalool could be used to control osteoclast activity. [on SciFinder(R)]