Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties and the immune modulatory activity of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) on oral bacteria and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF). Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by propidium iodide flow cytometry on fibroblasts derived from the periodontal ligament. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CBD and CBG for S. mutans and C. albicans and the metabolic activity of a subgingival 33-species biofilm under CBD and CBG treatments were determined. The Quantification of cytokines was performed using the LEGENDplex kit (BioLegend, Ref 740930, San Diego, CA, USA). Results: CBD-treated cell viability was greater than 95%, and for CBG, it was higher than 88%. MIC for S. mutans with CBD was 20 µM, and 10 µM for CBG. For C. albicans, no inhibitory effect was observed. Multispecies biofilm metabolic activity was reduced by 50.38% with CBD at 125 µg/mL (p = 0.03) and 39.9% with CBG at 62 µg/mL (p = 0.023). CBD exposure at 500 µg/mL reduced the metabolic activity of the formed biofilm by 15.41%, but CBG did not have an effect. CBG at 10 µM caused considerable production of anti-inflammatory mediators such as TGF-β and IL-4 at 12 h. CBD at 10 µM to 20 µM produced the highest amount of IFN-γ. Conclusion: Both CBG and CBD inhibit S. mutans; they also moderately lower the metabolic activity of multispecies biofilms that form; however, CBD had an effect on biofilms that had already developed. This, together with the production of anti-inflammatory mediators and the maintenance of the viability of mammalian cells from the oral cavity, make these substances promising for clinical use and should be taken into account for future studies.
Introduction: Cannabinoids are a well-documented treatment modality for various immune and inflammatory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and a range of neurodegenerative conditions. However, limited information is available regarding the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in treating periodontal disease. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the current evidence on the antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of cannabis and its role in the healing and regeneration processes within periodontal tissues. Results: This review discusses the potential role of cannabinoids in restoring periodontal tissue homeostasis. Conclusions: The examination of the endocannabinoid system and the physiological effects of cannabinoids in the periodontium suggests that they possess immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties, which could potentially promote proper tissue healing and regeneration.
26 April 2022 in International Journal of Biomaterials
The growing use of biomaterials with different therapeutic purposes increases the need for their physiological understanding as well as to seek its integration with the human body. Chronic inflammatory local pathologies, generally associated with infectious or autoimmunity processes, have been a current therapeutic target due to the difficulty in their treatment. The recent development of biomaterials with immunomodulatory capacity would then become one of the possible strategies for their management in local pathologies, by intervening in situ, without generating alterations in the systemic immune response. The treatment of periodontal disease as an inflammatory entity has involved the use of different approaches and biomaterials. There is no conclusive, high evidence about the use of these biomaterials in the regeneration of periodontitis sequelae, so the profession keeps looking for other different strategies. The use of biomaterials with immunomodulatory properties could be one, with a promising future. This review of the literature summarizes the scientific evidence about biomaterials used in the treatment of periodontal disease.
10 April 2021 in International Journal of Dentistry
Gingival recession (GR) can cause aesthetic and functional problems. Using connective tissue graft (CTG) and coronally advanced flap (CAF) is considered the technique of choice for treating GR. Considering the morbidity resulting from taking CTG, different alternative biomaterials have been described, including plasma-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane. Studies in lower teeth are few because of the complexity of the factors that can influence obtaining less predictable outcomes. Objective. To compare between CAF + PRF and CAF + CTG in the treatment of lower teeth Miller I gingival recession. Methodology. Split-mouth included 26 isolated GR (13 in each side of the mouth). The left side was treated with CAF + PRF and the right side with CAF + CTG. Clinical variables, probing depth (PD), GR, keratinized tissue (KT), vestibular soft tissue thickness (VSTT), and teeth sensitivity (TS), were assessed at the baseline. GR, KT, VSTT, extraoral inflammation (EI), and patient discomfort (PaD) were assessed at 45 days. Results. Statistically greater VSTT at 45 days was obtained using CAF + CTG (p < 0.05). Less EI and PaD were obtained using CAF + PRF (p < 0.05). No change was observed in GR, KT, and TS values in the intergroup or intragroup comparisons. Conclusion. Even with the limitations of this study, using PRF and CTG in lower teeth demonstrated an improvement in terms of root coverage, although it was without a total percentage of coverage. Regarding the VSTT, better results were obtained using the CTG + CAF, suggesting eventually long-term stable clinical results. We suggest a combined technique for future investigations.
Alginate and chitosan (Ag/Cs) combined form an effective platform to develop biocompatible hydrogels with customizable properties for controlled drug release. Cannabidiol (CBD), a hydrophobic compound with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, represents a powerful strategy to enhance their therapeutic performance. A/Cs hydrogels were produced using the CELLINK® printer with 12 and 24 mg/mL of CBD. SEM and FTIR were assessed. Viscoelasticity was assessed using oscillatory rheology. Structural strength was evaluated via uniaxial compression. Swelling and absorption were measured gravimetrically under physiological conditions. CBD was successfully incorporated into the 3D-printed A/Cs hydrogel. Increasing the CBD concentration led to mechanical changes such as a dose-dependent decrease in G′ and a slight reduction in the linearity threshold (typically 10–30% from medium loads), while still maintaining G′ > G″. FTIR showed shifts in O–H/N–H and C=O, indicating hydrogen bonding without new reactive bands. Microscopic images revealed moderate pore compaction and increased tortuosity with dose. At higher CBD concentrations, the hydrogel resisted compression but could deform further before failure. Equilibrium swelling and absorption kinetics decreased with increasing dose, resulting in a reduced initial burst and lower water uptake capacity. The CBD-loaded hydrogel provides a mechanically suitable and molecularly stable platform for local drug release in the oral cavity.
Background: The recent rise in worldwide e-cigarette use has sparked concerns about its effects on oral health, especially regarding the increased risk of periodontal disease. Measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines in crevicular fluid can help detect early subclinical inflammation before symptoms appear. Aim: To quantify the levels of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1) in the gingival crevicular fluid of vaping and non-vaping patients. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with vaper and non-vaper patients. Participants were selected through convenience sampling based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study collected demographic and clinical data and measured cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 in crevicular fluid using flow cytometry. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS®, including descriptive statistics, Shapiro–Wilk normality tests, and correlation analyses (Spearman rank). The Ethics Committee approved the study (Act No. 6-2025). Results: Sixteen vapers and sixteen non-vapers participated, paired by age. Vapers showed higher levels of all markers, especially TNF-α (1451.55 pg/mL, SD = 428.5, p = 0.036) and IL-6 (55.01 pg/mL, SD = 46.48, p = 0.050), compared to non-vapers. No significant differences were found in IL-1β and MCP-1. Conclusions: Vaping is associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, notably TNF-α and IL-6, and clinical signs of periodontal inflammation, specifically a higher plaque index (p = 0.027); bleeding on probing showed only a non-significant upward trend (p = 0.19). These findings suggest vaping may enhance periodontal–inflammatory responses and should be considered in the assessment of periodontitis progression.