Potent anti-inflammatory effects of systemically administered curcumin modulate periodontal disease in vivo

Abstract

Background Curcumin is a plant-derived dietary spice with various biological activities, including anti-tumoral and anti-inflammatory. Its therapeutic applications have been studied in a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, colon cancer and depression; but no studies evaluated the effects of curcumin on periodontal disease in vivo. Methods Experimental periodontal disease was induced in rats by placing cotton ligatures around both lower first molars. Curcumin was given to the rats intragastrically daily in two doses (30 and 100 mg/Kg) during 15 days. Control animals received ligatures but only the corn oil vehicle by gavage and no treatment negative control animals were included. Bone resorption was assessed by microcomputer tomography and the inflammatory status was evaluated by stereometric analysis. RT-qPCR and ELISA were used to determine the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthase on the gingival tissues. Modulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NK-kB activation was assessed by western blot. Results Bone resorption was effectively induced in the experimental period, but it was not affected by either dose of curcumin. Curcumin effectively inhibited cytokine gene expression at mRNA and protein levels and dose-dependently inhibited activation of NF-kB in the gingival tissues. p38 MAPK activation was not inhibited by curcumin. Curcumin-treated animals also presented a marked reduction on the inflammatory cell infiltrate and increased collagen content and fibroblastic cell numbers. Conclusions Curcumin did not prevent alveolar bone resorption, but its potent anti-inflammatory effect suggests it may have a therapeutic potential in periodontal diseases.

Formulation, in-vitro characterization and clinical evaluation of curcumin in-situ gel for treatment of periodontitis

“…In-vivo evaluation of curcumin in-situ gel In previous reports, the efficacy of curcumin to control dental diseases and inflammations has been proven after systemic or local administration (Guimarães et al, 2011;Rastogi et al, 2012). Curcumin's low systemic bioavailability can be overcome using a local drug delivery that allows the concentration of a particular drug at the desired site.…”

“…It also enhances wound healing by causing an increase in fibronectin and transforming growth factor â transcription (Guimarães et al, 2011;Rastogi et al, 2012). Worth mentioning is that Curcumin has an antiadhesion effect against Streptococcus mutans on extracellular matrices and tooth surfaces, which are crucial receptors for dental caries and infective endocarditis (Song et al, 2012).…”

Effects of curcumin on crevicular levels of IL‐1β and CCL28 in experimental gingivitis

“…Extensive research on curcumin has demonstrated a wide spectrum of therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumour, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective and wound healing properties. [13][14][15] The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin can be useful in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases.…”

“…14,15 Another mechanism is by modulating the activity of signalling pathways and transcription factors, especially nuclear factor-jB (NF-jB), activating protein-1 (AP-1) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. 15 In a recent study, curcumin effectively inhibited activation of NF-jB in the gingival tissues.…”

“…15 In a recent study, curcumin effectively inhibited activation of NF-jB in the gingival tissues. 14,16 Down-regulation of these pathways leads to suppression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-a IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. 15,16 Curcumin can target both bacteria and host inflammatory cells and would be highly effective in preventing the destruction associated with periodontal diseases.…”