Latex proteins from Plumeria pudica reduce ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that latex proteins from Plumeria pudica (LPPp) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects in rats of LPPp on ligature-induced periodontitis, an inflammatory disease. METHODS: The animals were divided into groups: saline (animals without induction of periodontitis), periodontitis (induced periodontitis and untreated) and LPPp (induced periodontitis and treated with 40 mg/kg). The following parameters were evaluated after 20 consecutive days of treatment: gingival bleeding index (GBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), alveolar bone height (ABH) and gingival myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In the hepatic tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and histopathological alterations were evaluated. Blood levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. RESULTS: Significant reduction in GBI, PPD and gingival MPO activity and ABH was seen in animals treated with LPPp compared with periodontitis. Values of GSH, MDA, ALT and histopathological evaluation were preserved in animals treated with LPPp. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with LPPp improved clinical aspects of periodontitis, reduced the blood and hepatic alterations and prevented alveolar bone loss. Data suggest that LPPp have potential for treatment of periodontitis.

Orabase formulation with cashew gum polysaccharide decreases inflammatory and bone loss hallmarks in experimental periodontitis.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical characteristics and the effects of an orabase gel with Cashew Gum Polysaccharide (CG-P) from Anacardium occidentale L. on alveolar bone loss and relative mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, RANK, RANKL, and OPG in the periodontal tissue of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) subjected to ligature-induced periodontitis. Crude cashew gum was collected and purified by chemical processes; then, the CG-P was mixed with orabase gel. Female rats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each: saline 0.9% (Sal Group); orabase gel (Gel Group); 50mg CG-P/1g orabase gel (CG-P50 Group) and 150mg CG-P/1g orabase gel (CG-P150 Group). Periodontitis was induced in the animals; they were treated for 20days with one daily topical application. The purification process of CG-P presented high yield and resulted in a protein-free product. The treatment with CG-P150 (150mg CG-P/1g orabase gel) significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, decreased the relative mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, RANKL and the RANKL/OPG ratio, and caused a significant decrease in myeloperoxidase activity of the gingival tissue. Thus, the CG-P in orabase represents a potential adjuvant drug for the treatment of periodontitis and possible source of new biotechnological discoveries.