Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper aims to evaluate the anti-periodontitis effects of Magnolia kobus extract (MKE) and magnolin in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide. It was found that MKE/magnolin treatment inhibited nitric oxide production and pro-inflammatory cytokines, concluding that MKE has a therapeutic effect on inflammatory periodontal disease and that magnolin is a major functional component in the anti-inflammatory effect of MKE.

It is a well-structured and organized document. After a general look of the paper I would suggest that figure exposed in the end of discussion should be moved to the introduction showing an overview of the process in study, with further explanation in the text.

Abstract and material and methods should include the sample size or how many independent experiments were performed in each assay

Introduction – please include the anti-inflammatory pathway of MKE in RAW 264.7 cells in the introduction with the help of a study scheme like the one of figure 11.

Material and Methods- should include the sample size or how many independent experiments were performed in each assay.

Statistical analysis description should include verification of normality and homogeneity of variance (e.g. with Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests) of the distribution that was perform in order to submit data parametric tests.

Results- figures that include vehicle control group measurements should distinguish this group from LPS activated control group in the axis line since they both are indicated with the same number (0). This can lead the reader to confusion.

Discussion- limitations of the study should be pointed out. Also, an overview of how this plant could be applied in the clinical treatment of periodontal diseases (e-g- gels, etc) could be interesting.

References- almost 2/3 of the references have more than 10 years; not all articles are correctly and systematically referenced.

Author Response

Thank you for your review comments. I have added the answer as a word file.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

In the manuscript entitled “Magnolia Kobus Extract Inhibits Periodontitis-Inducing Mediators in Porphyromonas gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide-Activated RAW 264.7 Cells” the authors aimed to investigate anti-periodontitis effects of Magnolia kobus extract (MKE) and magnolin as a component 11 of Magnolia kobus (MK) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis 12 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The article is well presented and I found the topic interesting. Here some minor suggestions to improve the quality of the manuscript:

INTRODUCTION

1_ In the definition of periodontal disease it must be mentioned that the inflammatory process is a response of the organism to the formation of the oral biofilm.

2_ (Lines 34-36) “However, continuative inflammatory responses can cause irreversible periodontal diseases and structure changes such as loss of teeth, leading to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic abnormalities, and cancer[4-6].” Thus reported, it seems that periodontitis is the initial cause of the diseases mentioned. In my opinion it would be better to indicate that there is an association between these diseases, without using the expression "leading to" which, in my opinion, is inaccurate.

RESULTS

_ I suggest reporting the Figures and graphs with greater magnification so as to occupy as much horizontal space on the page as possible, in accordance with the journal template.

DISCUSSION

_ Start this paragraph mentioning the aim of the study.

_ Mention the strength and limitation of the study.

Author Response

Thank you for your review comments. I have added the answer as a word file.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx