Adjuvant effects of curcumin as a photoantimicrobial or irrigant in the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The Effect of Subgingival Curcumin Gel With and Without Photodynamic Therapy as Adjunctive Periodontal Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Split-Mouth Clinical and Microbiological Study

Background: The study aimed to determine the quantity of periodontopathic and total bacteria on subgingival plaque from patients with periodontitis and uncontrolled diabetes and to compare adjunctive periodontal therapy using topical Curcuma longa extract gel with and without photodynamic treatment using blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Clinical periodontal parameters such as probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were assessed to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments. Methods: Thirty patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), a history of poor glycemic control, and chronic periodontitis were enrolled in this clinical and microbiological split-mouth study. After conventional periodontal treatment, scaling, and root planing, the most severe sites on the premolar or molar teeth with periodontal pockets measuring ≥5 mm were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the C. longa extract gel group (with a concentration of 25 µg/g) and the photodynamic group (C. longa extract gel 25 µg/g irradiated with blue light energy density = 16.8 J/cm2 for 120 s). All teeth were examined for clinical periodontal parameters data (PD, CAL, plaque index [PI], and BOP) and microbiological data (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and total bacteria), measured using TaqMan Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction, at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 12. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to compare clinical outcomes between groups, while the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test at a 95% confidence level was employed to analyze the amount of periodontal pathogens within the same group. Results: After the 12-week follow-up period, significant improvements were observed in all clinical parameters across both groups. However, the reduction in both CAL and BOP was significantly higher in the photodynamic group compared to the curcumin gel alone group, indicating enhanced periodontal health outcomes in the former. Microbiologically, both groups exhibited a decrease in total bacterial count and a reduction in periodontopathic bacteria. Importantly, the photodynamic group demonstrated a significant decrease in F. nucleatum and P. intermedia counts, key pathogens associated with periodontal disease progression. This suggests that photodynamic therapy (PDT), when used with curcumin gel, not only improves clinical parameters but also promotes a favorable shift in the periodontal microbial profile. Conclusion: Our findings highlight that PDT with curcumin gel as a photosensitizer (PS) is more effective than curcumin gel alone in achieving clinical attachment gain, reducing gingival inflammation, and suppressing specific periodontal pathogens. This combined therapy approach holds promise for managing periodontal disease by addressing both clinical symptoms and microbial factors.

Photoprotective Effects of Phytochemicals on Blue Light-Induced Retinal Damage: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

The widespread use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has increased blue light (BL) exposure, raising concerns about its potential adverse effects on ocular health. Prolonged exposure to BL has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various retinal disorders, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), primarily through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation mediated by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review synthesizes current evidence on the photoprotective properties of dietary bioactive compounds, (e.g., anthocyanins, curcumin, quercetin, myricetin, and resveratrol), with a focus on their potential to mitigate BL-induced retinal damage. Accumulating research suggests that dietary antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, may offer photoprotective benefits. These phytochemicals act by neutralizing ROS and enhancing the retina's endogenous antioxidant capacity. Based on these findings, this review advocates for a food-first approach in future investigations, emphasizing the development of evidence-based dietary recommendations to bolster retinal health and mitigate the risk of BL-related ocular diseases. Considering the current lack of empirical clinical studies examining the impact of BL on human ocular health, future research in the field of BL hazard should prioritize two key approaches: conducting large-scale epidemiological dietary surveys and implementing clinical trials on functional ingredients that have demonstrated beneficial effects against photodamage in preclinical animal studies.

Application of a modified multifunctional short peptide in the treatment of periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving plaque biofilm as a pathogenic factor. Potassium ion plays an important role in cellular homeostasis; a large outflow of potassium may lead to local inflammation progression. In this work, the multifunctional short peptide molecule BmKTX-33 was designed by modifying the BmKTX, a Kv1.3 potassium channel inhibitor. This was to explore its antibacterial properties, capability of maintaining cell ion homeostasis, and bone-forming capacity. The results showed that BmKTX-33 had inhibitory effects on S. gordonii, F. nucleatum, and P. gingivalis. Moreover, BmKTX-33 also inhibited excessive potassium outflow in inflammatory environments. Finally, BmKTX-33 promoted MC3T3-E1 early osteogenesis while suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome's production. In conclusion, BmKTX-33 not only has antibacterial properties, but also can inhibit the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and play an anti-inflammatory role.

Herpesviruses and SARS-CoV-2: Viral Association with Oral Inflammatory Diseases

The oral cavity is a niche for diverse microbes, including viruses. Members of the Herpesviridae family, comprised of dsDNA viruses, as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an ssRNA virus, are among the most prevalent viruses infecting the oral cavity, and they exhibit clinical manifestations unique to oral tissues. Viral infection of oral mucosal epithelia triggers an immune response that results in prolonged inflammation. The clinical and systemic disease manifestations of HHV have been researched extensively, and several recent studies have illuminated the relationship between HHV and oral inflammatory diseases. Burgeoning evidence suggests the oral manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection includes xerostomia, dysgeusia, periodontal disease, mucositis, and opportunistic viral and bacterial infections, collectively described as oral post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). These diverse sequelae could be a result of intensified immune responses initially due to the copious production of proinflammatory cytokines: the so-called "cytokine storm syndrome", facilitating widespread oral and non-oral tissue damage. This review explores the interplay between HHV, SARS-CoV-2, and oral inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, endodontic disease, and peri-implantitis. Additionally, the review discusses proper diagnostic techniques for identifying viral infection and how viral diagnostics can lead to improved overall patient health.

Photodynamic therapy in periodontitis: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis, a chronic infectious disease, is primarily caused by a dysbiotic microbiome, leading to the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues and tooth loss. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which combines excitation light with photosensitizers (PS) and oxygen to produce antibacterial reactive oxygen species, is emerging as a promising adjuvant treatment for periodontitis.

METHODS

This review focuses on studies examining the antibacterial effects of PDT against periodontal pathogens. It also explores the impact of PDT on various aspects of periodontal health, including periodontal immune cells, human gingival fibroblasts, gingival collagen, inflammatory mediators, cytokines in the periodontium, vascular oxidative stress, vascular behavior, and alveolar bone health. Clinical trials assessing the types of PSs and light sources used in PDT, as well as its effects on clinical and immune factors in gingival sulcus fluid and the bacterial composition of dental plaque, are discussed.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that PDT is effective in reducing periodontal pathogens and improving markers of periodontal health. It has shown positive impacts on periodontal immune response, tissue integrity, and alveolar bone preservation. Clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in periodontal health and alterations in the microbial composition of dental plaque when PDT is used alongside conventional treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

PDT offers a promising adjunctive treatment for periodontitis, with benefits in bacterial reduction, tissue healing, and immune modulation. This article highlights the potential of PDT in periodontal therapy and emphasizes the need for further research to refine its clinical application and efficacy.

Zingiberaceae plants/curcumin consumption and multiple health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials in humans

This umbrella review is to recapitulate and grade the available evidence of associations between consumption of Zingiberaceae plants/curcumin (Cur) and multiple health-related outcomes. This study included 161 meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials in 76 articles with 67 unique health outcomes. Data on heterogeneity and publication bias are considered to assess the quality of evidence. Based on the different impact of Zingiberaceae plants/Cur on human health, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Zingiberaceae plants/Cur can mainly improve metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and some chronic inflammatory diseases, likewise, obviously relief the pain of osteoarthritis and related diseases. Ginger supplements have been shown to improve vomiting during pregnancy and to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and surgery. The surgery is any type of surgery, including laparoscopic surgery, gynecological surgery and mixed surgery. Beneficial associations were found with Cur intervention in gastrointestinal, neurological and oral diseases. Zingiberaceae plants/Cur are generally safe and favorable for multiple health outcomes in humans. High-quality research is further needed to prove the observed associations.