Curcumin: A review of experimental studies and mechanisms related to periodontitis treatment

Abstract

Curcumin is the main active ingredient of turmeric, which has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antitumor, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidation, immune regulation, and so on. Periodontitis is a prevalent oral inflammatory disease caused by a variety of factors. In recent years, many studies have shown that curcumin has a potential role on the treatment of periodontitis. Curcumin has been used in research related to the treatment of periodontitis in the form of solution, chip, gel, and capsule. Combined with other periodontitis treatment methods, such as scaling and root planing (SRP) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), can enhance curcumin's efficacy in treating periodontitis. In addition to natural curcumin, chemically modified curcumin, such as 4‐phenylaminocarbonyl bis‐demethoxy curcumin (CMC 2.24) and 4‐methoxycarbonyl curcumin (CMC 2.5), have also been used in animal models of periodontitis. Here, this paper reviews the research progress of curcumin on the treatment of periodontitis and its related mechanisms.

Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Curcumin as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The mechanism of periodontal disease involves the production of several inflammatory mediators. Periodontal pathogens activate NF-κB, Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer, activator of transcription (STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and other signaling pathways and produce inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β to promote inflammation ( Li et al, 2021 ). Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has various anti-inflammatory properties and may delay the disease process of periodontal disease in its initial stages.…”

Impact of health and lifestyle food supplements on periodontal tissues and health

“…In clinical trials, patients with periodontal diseases usually use curcumin as adjuvant therapy following subgingival instrumentation. Curcumin is commonly applied topically as a solution (mouthwash) or in solid form (curcumin sustained‐release tablet, gel, or chip) 306 …”

“…Subsequent studies that tested use of curcumin as an adjunct to subgingival instrumentation have shown that its topical application significantly improved periodontal condition. Curcumin can directly and indirectly inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways, thus inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction involved in development of a variety of inflammatory diseases, as well as periodontitis 306 …”

“…The light produced by photodynamic therapy can enhance the ability of curcumin to penetrate biofilm. On the other hand, curcumin can enhance the bacteriostatic effect of photodynamic therapy 306 . De Paula Zago et al 307 have shown that curcumin can significantly inhibit the growth of oral pathogens while used as a photosensitizer.…”

“…Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have been shown to be effective in increasing the efficacy of therapeutic agents. Integration of curcumin in these delivery systems has resulted in improved solubility, bioavailability, transmembrane permeability, prolonged plasma half‐life, long‐term stability, target‐specific delivery, and upgraded therapeutic effects 306 …”