# Forastero cacao bean extract gel decreases IL-6 positive osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes on OIRR model: A primitive study

## TL;DR

This study shows that a cacao bean extract gel reduces inflammation in bone cells, potentially preventing root damage during orthodontic treatment.

## Contribution

The study introduces Forastero cacao bean extract as a natural treatment to reduce IL-6 in bone cells during orthodontic procedures.

## Key findings

- 8% Forastero cacao bean extract gel significantly reduced IL-6 positive osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes.
- The reduction was observed in the tension side of the alveolar bone in treated groups compared to controls.
- The extract may help prevent orthodontic-induced root resorption by balancing bone remodeling.

## Abstract

Malocclusion can be corrected with orthodontic treatment to improve function and aesthetics. Orthodontic treatment patients have the potential to produce greater Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), as evidenced by an increase in the Oxidative Status Index (OSI) a week after treatment. As a result, oxidative stress may induce an imbalance of bone remodeling through intensifying osteoclastogenesis by expressing pro-inflammatory cytokine, namely Interleukin-6 (IL-6). The worst pathological condition that can occur is Orthodontic-Induced Root Resorption (OIRR), a resorptive area on the root that is unwanted from orthodontic treatment. OIRR incidence is reported to be more than 90 % asymptomatic. Using Forastero cacao bean (Theobroma cacao L.) extract gel as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound is expected to be able to prevent excess ROS, which triggers an increase in various pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6, which plays a role in the bone resorption pathway, thus reducing the incidence of OIRR and making orthodontic treatment successful through balanced bone remodeling.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Forastero cacao bean (Theobroma cacao L.) extract gel on the decrease of IL-6 cytokine expressed by osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes in the OIRR model of male Wistar rats.

IL-6 positive osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes decreased significantly after 8 % Forastero cacao bean extract gel-treated, as seen in T7 and T14 groups compared to C-7 and C-14 groups (p < 0.05).

8 % Forastero cacao bean extract gel decreased IL-6-positive osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes in the tension side of the alveolar bone.