Assessment the Efficacy of Curcumin Local Delivery Gel in Treatment of Periodontitis in Smokers

Overview

Smokers usually respond less favourably to non-surgical periodontal treatment compared to non-smokers. Numerous studies reported that smoker patients exhibited less reduction in probing depth and less gains in clinical attachment level values following scaling and root planing (Kanmaz et al., 2021, Alwithanani, 2023) Several studies have proposed the use of adjunctive treatment approaches such as local/systemic antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents to improve the effects of basic periodontal therapy in smokers. However, no studies have been published evaluated the conventional management of topically delivered curcumin gel in conjunction with scaling and root planing demonstrating its ability to improve periodontal outcomes in smokers. Meanwhile, some clinical trials indicate that local and systemic administration of curcumin can enhance the results of SRP in periodontal treatment. Local delivery allows higher concentrations of the active compounds in the diseased site and avoids possible adverse effects of systemic administration.

Tobacco use increases the risk and progression of periodontitis by multiple factors including decreased gingival perfusion, which restricts nutrients and oxygen delivery as well as the removal of waste products. In addition, it affects the circulating levels of immune-inflammatory cells in gingival crevicular fluid, and affects the dysbiosis microbiota reducing the ability of the periodontium to repair. Curcumin is an extract from the turmeric plant Curcuma longa L. It has been shown potent anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In periodontitis, curcumin plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory properties, by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing the prostaglandin biosynthesis, inhibiting the mRNA and protein expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2, through down-regulation of NF-kB activation. Meanwhile, some clinical trials indicate that local and systemic administration of curcumin can enhance the results of SRP in periodontal treatment; local delivery allows higher concentrations of the active compounds in the diseased site and avoids possible adverse effects of systemic administration (Pérez-Pacheco et al., 2021, Borgohain et al., 2023, Chatzopoulos et al., 2023).