Introduction: Experimental animals used as periodontitis models have been used to investigate the sequence of the disease with the related alveolar bone resorption and periodontal tissue destruction. Hypothyroidism oral manifestations show variations including periodontal tissues inflammation associated with resorption of alveolar bone. Curcumin is a yellow polyphenol that is used frequently in a variety of medical applications due to its various protective effects.
Aim: Investigating Curcumin efficiency on the histological, ultrastructure and micro-elemental composition of alveolar bone with induced periodontitis in hypothyroidism rat models.
Materials and Methods: 30 adult male rats were divided into 3 groups. Group I: Control, Group II: Periodontitis + hypothyroidism, Group III: Periodontitis + hypothyroidism + Curcumin. In groups (II) and (III), hypothyroidism was induced using daily oral dosage (10 mg / kg body weight propylthiouracil), together with periodontitis induction. Rats in group (III), Curcumin was treated with oral gavage with a dosage (75 mg/kg body weight) along with propylthiouracil. After 30 days, mandibles were dissected and prepared for histological examination, ultrastructure and elemental microanalysis.
Results: Histological evaluation revealed increased osteoclasts and bone resorption in group II compared to the control group. However, significant improvement of the alveolar bone histology could be seen in the group III. Ultrastructural and micro-elemental results confirmed the histological findings indication smoother bone surface and increased calcium and phosphorus levels in the treated group III than group II.
Conclusion: Curcumin is considered an effective prophylactic agent, with great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, that preserve alveolar bone in periodontitis in hypothyroid cases.