Anti-Osteoclastogenesis Potential of Cocoa Pod Husk (Theobroma cacao L.) Extract: In Silico and In Vivo Study

• Published in: Brazilian dental journal 2024, Vol.35
• Main Authors: Rahayu, Yani Corvianindya, Setiawatie, Ernie Maduratna, Rahayu, Retno Pudji, Siswandono, S, Indrawati, Retno, Budi, Hendrik Setia, Notobroto, Hari Basuki, Darojah, Rahmah A. Alwasilah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0103-6440; 1806-4760
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-6440202406015

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease characterized by alveolar bone loss. The high polyphenol content in cocoa pod husk ( Theobroma cacao L) has the potential to influence bone metabolism and contribute to the inhibition of bone resorption. The aim of this study was to analyze the anti-osteoclastogenesis potential of cocoa pod husk ( Theobroma cacao L.) in both in silico and in vivo study. An analysis of the anti-osteoclastogenesis potential of T. cacao bioactive compounds was conducted using molecular docking simulations. Thirty male Wistar rats ( Rattus novergicus ) were randomly assigned to control negative groups (placebo gel), control positive groups (2% doxycycline gel), and treatment groups (10% cocoa pod husk (CPH) extract gel), with measurements taken on days 7 and 14. Wistar rats were induced with 0.05 ml of P. gingivalis at a concentration of 2x10 9 CFU/ml intrasulcularly in the maxillary molar to achieved in periodontitis. The number of osteoclasts was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, the level of TNF-α was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of RANKL was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA to examine the differences between the groups. The in silico study showed that the catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and procyanidin B2 had a strong binding affinity for TNF-α and RANKL. Administration of 10% CPH reduced the number of osteoclasts (p