Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Melatonin and 5-Methoxytryptophol on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Pulpitis in Rats

Figure 2

Melatonin and 5-MTX inhibited proinflammatory cytokine and MMP levels in the serum and pulp tissue in acute pulpitis. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained samples of pulp from the control, AP, AP+melatonin, and AP+5-MTX groups (a–d). Increased proinflammatory cytokine levels in the serum and pulp were observed at the saline-treated AP group. Abdominal injection of melatonin and 5-MTX ameliorated the increased level of TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP-1, and MMP-2 in the serum and pulp tissue of acute pulpitis-induced rats (e, f).