The preventive and therapeutic application of garlic and other plant ingredients in the treatment of periodontal diseases (Review)

Abstract

Since ancient times, pharmacologically active ingredients derived from natural sources, including plants and microbials have been used in the treatment of a wide array of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and cancers. Herbal extracts and polyphenols are produced from herbs that contain a variety of ingredients, most of which exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-microbial actions. Gingivitis is triggered by the infection of the periodontal tissues with periodontal disease-causing pathogens present in the dental biofilm. This is accompanied by weak inflammatory immune reactions in the gingiva. In periodontitis, prolonged and excessive inflammation results in the destruction of gingival connective tissue and in the resorption of alveolar bone, leading to tooth loss. There are a number of clinical reports showing the effectiveness of both herbal extracts and polyphenols on periodontal diseases when applied as a mouthwash or dentifrice into the oral cavity. However, to date, at least to the best of our knowledge, there is no clinical report available on the therapeutic effects of garlic or its extract on periodontal diseases, apart from a recent study, which reported that the intake of aged garlic extract (AGE) containing various pharmacologically active sulfur compounds, alleviated the symptoms of gingivitis clinically. The finding suggests that AGE may be a promising candidate for use in the treatment of periodontal diseases, although additional clinical trials are warranted to confirm this. In addition, further studies are required for the clarification of the basic molecular mechanisms through which AGE attenuates gingivitis. In this review, we summarize the beneficial effects of several natural compounds on periodontal disease and describe the possible applications of garlic ingredients in detail. Contents 1. Periodontal disease 2. Evidence of the inhibitory effect of various naturally occurring products on gingivitis and periodontitis 3. Conclusions and future perspectives

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies

“…Aged garlic extract prepared by ageing garlic for >10 months in ethanol found to contains pharmacologically active sulfur-containing amino acids, such as SAC, S-1-propenylcysteine (SIPC), SAMC and DAS. It was demonstrated that DAS reduces inflammatory reactions elicited by Porphyromonas gingivalis derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human gingival fibroblast cells and inhibits the growth of periodontal microbials [ 83 ]. A recent in vivo study reported that GE prevents the cells from different phases of cancer by neutralizing the free radicals, increasing the actions of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase and catalase, avoiding chromosomal damage, DNA repair mechanisms and improving glutathione contents [ 84 ].…”

“…In neglected conditions, chronic inflammation leads to resorption of alveolar bone, periodontitis and loss of the tooth. Prevention or removal of dental plaque requires mechanical removal or clinical treatment with antibiotics [ 83 ]. Several indices such as GI, Modified GI, Sulcus Bleeding indices, Plaque indices have been developed primarily by correlating the visual clinic symptoms with histologically determined inflammation of gingivae [ 107 ].…”

A Mediterranean Diet Intervention Reduces the Levels of Salivary Periodontopathogenic Bacteria in Overweight and Obese Subjects

“…The MD is a vegetarian-oriented dietary pattern providing many polyphenols with well-known antibacterial activity (41)(42)(43). In this respect, some in vitro studies showed that dietary polyphenols such as theaflavins, typical of tea, markedly inhibit the proteinase activities of P. gingivalis in a dose-dependent manner (44), thus limiting the adhesion capacity of these species in the oral cavity.…”

Measurement of the Clinical Effects of a Marine Fish Extract on Periodontal Healing—A Preliminary Clinical Interventional Study

“…After full-mouth disinfection, periodontal non-surgical therapy can include the use of products having anti-inflammatory effects, increasing the host's defense, analgesic effects, the acceleration of cellular regeneration, an increase in protein synthesis, and the acceleration of tissue healing or bone regeneration [9]. The main objective of non-surgical periodontal regeneration treatment involves the obtainment of a biologically active complex of natural compounds [10][11][12] aimed at assisting periodontal healing. In this context, natural biological chemical compounds are increasingly preferred as treatment alternatives.…”