Modulation of phenotypic profile of macrophages by hydrogel containing naringenin

• Grant number: 25/19519-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Gonçalves Basso
• Grantee: Fernanda Gonçalves Basso
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Araraquara
• Associated research grant: 23/16508-5 - MODULATION OF THE ACTIVITY OF METALLOPROTEINASES ON PERIIMPLANT REPAIR, AP.R

Abstract

Flavonoids are organic molecules extracted from fruits and seeds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The application of these compounds has shown effectiveness in the response of osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts, as well as other cells, positively modulating proliferation and negatively regulating the gene and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Naringenin is a citrus flavonoid that has shown promising results in regulating the expression and synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in addition to modulating the expression, synthesis, and activity of matrix metalloproteinases. However, the application of these compounds in aqueous form does not provide a prolonged effect, which reduces their applicability. Macrophages are mononuclear cells with a fundamental role in the inflammatory response; however, the maintenance of the inflammatory phenotype (M1) by these cells can result in extracellular matrix destruction and delays in tissue repair. This study aims to evaluate the effect of applying naringenin incorporated into a hydrogel using gelatin methacrylate as a substrate on the M1/M2 phenotypic profile of macrophages. The data obtained will be statistically analyzed considering their distribution, homogeneity, and homoscedasticity. (AU)