Biological activities and possible dental application of three major groups of polyphenols

The present article reviewed the biological activities and possible dental application of three major polyphenols,i.e.,lignin-carbohydrate complexes,tannins,and flavonoids,citing mostly our in vitro studies together with those from other groups. all these polyphenols showed much lower tumor-selective cytotoxicity against oral squamous cell carcinoma cells vs. normal oral cells (gingival fibroblast,pulp cell,periodontal ligament fibroblast),in comparison to popular chemotherapeutic antitumor drugs. several compounds showing higher tumor-selectivity did not induce internucleosomal dna fragmentation,a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis,in oral carcinoma cell lines. lignin-carbohydrate complex protected the cells from the cytopathic effects of hiv infection and uv irradiation more efficiently than other polyphenols. limited digestion of lignin-carbohydrate complex suggests that the lignin moiety is involved in the prominent anti-hiv activity,whereas the carbohydrate moiety may function in immunopotentiating activity through a cell surface receptor. alkaline extract of plant leaf,which contains higher amounts of lignin-carbohydrate complex,showed potent anti-inflammatory action against il-1β-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts. local application of lignin-carbohydrate complex through oral mucosa is recommended,considering its poor intestinal absorption. © the japanese pharmacological society.