The Human Inflammation Antibody Array was used to elucidate the molecules related to the DPB-induced inflammation. In the DPB-LPS–stimulated YD38 cells, the inflammatory cytokine profiles were increased for interleukin (IL)-3, IL-16, CXC motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10, IP-10), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A, TNFRI), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B (TNFRSF1B, TNFRII), macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF 1, MCSF), and CC motif chemokine 4 (CCL4, MIP-1β) (Fig. 3a). Increased levels of inflammation-related molecules were suppressed by pretreatment with the EETC. In addition, as shown in human protease profiles, proteases that act on inflammation through the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other proteins were also increased in the DPB-LPS–stimulated YD38 cells (Fig. 3b). The levels of MMP-7 (matrilysin, PUMP-1), KLK 10 (kallikrein 10), CTSC (cathepsin C), MMP-3 (stromelysin-1), and PC9 (proprotein convertase 9) were significantly increased; the induced levels of proteases were also suppressed by pretreatment with the EETC. To validate the tissue damage due to DPB-LPS, YD38 cells were cultured on FITC gelatin-coated coverslips, and matrix degradation was observed by bleaching the fluorescence dye. As shown in Fig. 3c, DPB-LPS stimulated matrix degradation, and the EETC effectively inhibited the DPB-LPS–induced matrix degradation.Fig. 3Effect of EETC on DPB-induced molecules involve in inflammation and tissue damage. a Inflammatory cytokine modulated by DPB-LPS and EETC in gingival epithelial cell. Analysis of culture medium (CM) collected from DMSO-treated cells, which served as the control. Altered factors are indicated with rectangles and circled numbers. The list altered factor is shown as fold-change in the graph. The data shown are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.01 vs. DPB1#-LPS-treated medium, # P < 0.001 vs. DMSO control medium. b Protease modulated by DPB-LPS and EETC in gingival epithelial cell. Altered factors are indicated with rectangles and circled numbers. The list altered factor is depicted in the graph and is shown as fold-change. The data shown are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.01 vs. DPB1#-LPS-treated medium, # P < 0.001 vs. DMSO control medium. c Effect of tissue damage by DPB-LPS and/or EETC on FITC-conjugated gelatin matrix-coated coverslips. The data shown are representative of five independent experiments