Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview

Abstract

Various modalities of treatment are available for different dental diseases, but the major drawback of these conventional drug therapies is the numerous side effects associated with their use. This has led to renewed interest in the discovery of novel anti-infective natural compounds derived from plants. Plants have been the major source of medicine since the time immemorial. Turmeric has been attributed a number of medicinal properties in the traditional system of medicine. The objective of this article is to review the efficacy of turmeric herb in maintenance of oral health, in particular, and overall health, in general. Turmeric, a rhizome of Curcuma longa, is a herb known for its medicinal properties and is a more acceptable and viable option for a common man. It has proven properties like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, antiseptic, and antimutagenic. Due to these properties, it is quite useful in dentistry as well. It has a role in the treatment of periodontal diseases and oral cancers. Turmeric can also be used as a pit and fissure sealant, mouth wash, and subgingival irrigant in different preparations. It can also be used as a component in local drug delivery system in gel form.

Turmeric powder and its derivatives from Curcuma longa rhizomes: Insecticidal effects on cabbage looper and the role of synergists

“…2F)58. Other general constituents include proteins, resins and sugars59. Some volatile components could be lost by drying the rhizomes at 40 °C.…”

Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots from spices for in vitro imaging and tumour cell growth inhibition

“…Turmeric is an abundant medicinal herb majorly cultivated in Asia and is widely used in food industries as a colouring agent or food additive [19]. One of its major components, curcumin [20], plays an important role in the treatment of periodontal diseases and oral cancers [21]. Turmeric exhibits numerous therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral and antibacterial activities [22].…”

Single step synthesis, characterization and applications of curcumin functionalized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

“…25–27 Curcumin is known to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, along with several other therapeutic properties. 28,29,30 Although curcumin has low bioavailability, it has been reported that conjugation of curcumin with metal nanoparticles could increase its bioavailability. 31 Also, based on previously reported spectroscopic measurements at various temperatures, the breaking of intra-molecular H-bonding could increase the solubility of curcumin in water at higher temperatures.…”