Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin for Periodontal Regeneration

Abstract

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory condition that results in destruction of tooth supporting tissues. Studies have demonstrated the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells and biomaterials that induce healing and promotion of repair of the periodontal tissue.Recently, natural compounds have been identified as good candidates for drug development due to their immunomodulatory and healing properties. Specifically, curcumin has been shown to have anti-cancer, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory functions and has been reported safe and efficient for treatment of many diseases. In this study we investigate curcumin and ones of its metabolites, tetrahydrocurcumin, to identify a potential natural candidate that can contribute to the healing of periodontal tissue and promote its regeneration.In this study, human PDL and Gingival epithelial cells were treated with curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin. Using RNA sequencing we investigated the pathways that were affected in these cell types. We show that curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin promote Wnt signaling pathway, upregulate TGF-beta regulation of extracellular matrix. Curcumin promotes organization of extracellular matrix in PDL cells and cell migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis in gingival epithelial cells.The results of this study suggest that curcumin and its metabolite exhibit anti-inflammatory and have regenerative potential on PDL and gingival epithelial cell. Particularly, curcumin can be a low-cost, well-tolerated and effective natural candidate for therapeutic approaches in periodontal tissue. Further in vivo screening of this compound is required to confirm the optimum biological activity and to harness its full potential in clinical application.