Adjuvant Periodontal Therapy with Thermosensitive Hydrogel Based on Green Propolis in Diabetic Patients

• Grant number: 25/02881-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Mario Taba Junior
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Duarte Firmino
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/10206-0 - Thermosensitive Green Propolis hydrogel for use as an adjunct to periodontal treatment - Clinical and laboratory analysis, AP.R

Abstract

Periodontal disease (PD) is a pathology that affects the supporting and protective structures of the tooth. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease that involves several metabolic alterations. Analyses show that patients with unsatisfactory glycemia have increased levels of inflammatory markers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), making them more susceptible to periodontal diseases. Adjuvant therapy using natural products is a well-accepted alternative to existing chemical products, due to the reduction of side effects, lower cost and greater acceptance by patients, in addition to natural products being scientifically evidenced for proving clinical efficacy comparable to synthetic products. For example, green propolis can enhance the effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a thermosensitive green propolis hydrogel (Hgel) as an adjuvant in the periodontal treatment of patients with T2DM. Forty-five patients will be evaluated and divided into three groups (n=15): patients with T2DM treated with SRP + propolis hydrogel (Hgel/PD+T2DM); patients with T2DM treated with SRP and irrigation with saline solution (SS) (SS/PD+T2DM); and normoglycemic patients treated with SRP + propolis hydrogel (Hgel/PD). Gingival bleeding, probing depth, bleeding on probing and clinical attachment level will be analyzed at baseline, 21 days, 45 days and 90 days. Saliva and GCF will be collected to evaluate the expression of inflammation and healing markers. Data will be grouped by mean and standard deviation and subjected to normality tests to select the best test to be applied. (AU)