“…Drug administration seems to re‐establish the energetic status of gingival cells, as they help to restore cell viability. It has been previously shown that diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil can suppress the capacity of neutrophils in the production of oxidants (Grassi et al 1995, Feng & Hart 1996). Nifedipine has antioxidant properties reducing oxidative injury in isolated rat heart (Kauder & Watts 1996), and its protective effects on cerebral ischemia and on stroke in vivo may, in part, result from the inhibition of oxidative processes (Napoli et al 1999).…”