Background: Nowadays, the application of nanotechnology is recommended for potential treatments in dentistry. Curcumin nanoparticles (CURN) have been found to possess potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that can treat periodontitis which is considered as an inflammatory disorder that can spread down the gingiva causing alveolar bone destruction.
Objectives: To evaluate the biological effect of CURN on alveolar bone structure in rats with ligature induced periodontitis.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-five healthy adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups: Group A (control group), Group B (periodontitis group) and Group C (curcumin nanoparticles treated group). A silk ligature was used to induce periodontitis in group B and C. After two weeks, the ligature was removed. CURN was then administrated orally to rats of group C (15 mg/kg/day). The animals were euthanized by the end of the experimental periods, after 2 and 4 weeks from removal of ligature. Right side mandibles were dissected out and prepared for scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX).
Results: Scanning electron microscopic results revealed restoration of the alveolar bone level around mandibular first molar with decrease in the porosity in the surface of the alveolar bone in group C treated with CURN rather than in periodontitis group B. These results were confirmed by EDX which showed more calcium and less phosphorous percentage in group C than in group B.
Conclusions: Curcumin nanoparticles have a positive biological effect on alveolar bone structure in rats with ligature induced periodontitis.
Key words: Curcumin nanoparticles, anti-inflammatory, periodontitis