Influence of local administration of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles on periodontal repair

• Grant number: 17/19575-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Morgana Rodrigues Guimarães Stabili
• Grantee: Angelo Constantino Camilli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Curcumin is the active compound in the extract of Curcuma longa rhizomes with multiple biological activities. Literature reports promising effects of curcumin as a therapeutic adjuvant in different conditions, including psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. This information, coupled with the nearly non-existent toxicity of curcumin, makes it an interesting compound for health-related applications. Using in vivo models of periodontal disease, our research group has shown that systemic administration of curcumin by oral gavage significantly inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory bone resorption. However, there are important limitations on the pharmacological properties of curcumin, including low bioavailability and rapid metabolization that may hinder its therapeutic use. In this proposal, we intend to assess if the local use of nanoparticles loaded with curcumin may improve its biological effects on experimental periodontal repair in rats. The main hypothesis of this proposal is that the use of nanoparticles for local delivery of curcumin increases the bioavailability of the compound, enhancing the healing process after the removal of the pathogenic stimulation. To test these hypotheses, we will use a model of ligature-induced periodontal disease to assess the effects of topically-administered curcumin on bone repair by micro-computed tomography, and the inflammatory status by stereometric analysis. (AU)