THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CITRAL IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE INDUCED BY SYSTEMIC MICROBIAL CHALLENGE

• Grant number: 24/03285-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Guilherme de Siqueira Branco
• Grantee: Isabelly Gomes Solon
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial, and non-communicable inflammatory condition that affects the supportive and protective tissues of the teeth. As a result, numerous therapeutic strategies are proposed to complement the treatment of periodontal diseases. However, there is a gap in understanding how natural substances may interact within the context of periodontal disease progression and the host's immune response. Therefore, this project aims to deepen the knowledge about the potential of new natural substances in mitigating periodontitis. Previous studies indicate that citral, an essential oil mixture present in plants such as lemongrass and ginger, has notable anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity; however, to date, there are no reports on its effect on systematically induced periodontitis. This study intends to evaluate the action of citral using a Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontitis model in male Balb/C mice. After 12 days of Porphyromonas gingivalis administration, the following will be assessed: 1) the magnitude of the inflammatory process (by measuring cytokine concentrations in plasma and gingiva), 2) bone support (through histological and histometric analysis), analysis of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression (by conventional zymography), and osteoclast analysis (by immunohistochemistry), 3) microbiological analysis (by 16S bacterial sequencing), and 4) bone density through micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). In vitro studies will include peritoneal macrophage cultures, subjected to LPS challenges, obtained from control animals and those with periodontitis, with the aim of investigating the mechanisms of citral action, whether direct in the oral cavity or indirect through systemic actions. The results of this project will contribute to the understanding of the inflammatory process observed in periodontitis, providing insights into new therapeutic strategies for its treatment.