Oral candidiasis is a common problem among immunocompetent patients. The frequent resistance of Candida strains to popular antimycotics makes it necessary to look for alternative methods of treatment. The authors conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The objective of this review was to determine if curcumin-mediated blue light could be considered as an alternative treatment for oral candidiasis. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using a combination of the following keywords: (Candida OR candidiasis oral OR candidiasis oral OR denture stomatitis) AND (curcumin OR photodynamic therapy OR apt OR photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy OR PACT OR photodynamic inactivation OR PDI). The review included in vitro laboratory studies with Candida spp., in vivo animal studies, and randomized control trials (RCTs) involving patients with oral candidiasis or prosthetic stomatitis, published only in English. The method of elimination of Candida species in the studies was curcumin-mediated aPDT. A total of 757 studies were identified. Following the analysis of the titles and abstracts of the studies, only 42 studies were selected for in-depth screening, after which 26 were included in this study. All studies evaluated the antifungal efficacy of curcumin-mediated aPDT against C. albicans and non-albicans Candida. In studies conducted with planktonic cells solutions, seven studies demonstrated complete elimination of Candida spp. cells. The remaining studies demonstrated only partial elimination. In all cases, experiments on single-species yeast biofilms demonstrated partial, statistically significant inhibition of cell growth and reduction in biofilm mass. In vivo, curcumin-mediated aPDT has shown good antifungal activity against oral candidiasis also in an animal model. However, its clinical efficacy as a potent therapeutic strategy for oral candidiasis requires few further RCTs.

Background: Peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition leading to progressive bone loss around dental implants, represents a significant challenge in modern implant dentistry. Conventional mechanical debridement and adjunctive antibiotics or antiseptics often fail to fully eradicate complex biofilms and may promote antibiotic resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by natural photosensitizers (e.g., curcumin, riboflavin, and 5-aminolevulinic acid) has emerged as a potential adjunctive strategy for peri-implantitis management due to its targeted antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy, clinical outcomes, and safety of PDT mediated by natural photosensitizers in the treatment of peri-implantitis and to identify optimal protocols regarding photosensitizer concentrations, light source parameters, and application techniques. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, databases (PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) were searched from 1 January 2015 to 3 January 2025 for English-language publications. Studies assessing naturally based PDT interventions for peri-implantitis or in vitro biofilms from diseased implant surfaces were included. Quality assessment used the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2) for randomized controlled trials and a tailored nine-item framework for in vitro studies. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Despite heterogeneity in methodologies, especially regarding light wavelengths, energy densities, and photosensitizer formulations, most studies reported notable reductions in bacterial viability, biofilm mass, and clinical indices (probing depth and bleeding on probing). Curcumin and riboflavin frequently demonstrated comparable antimicrobial efficacy to standard disinfectants, while 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based PDT also showed promising clinical and microbiological improvements. However, complete biofilm eradication was rarely achieved. Conclusions: Natural-photosensitizer-based PDT appears to be a valuable adjunct to mechanical debridement for peri-implantitis, enhancing microbial control and clinical outcomes. Standardization of PDT protocols and further well-designed clinical trials with extended follow-up periods are warranted to confirm long-term efficacy and inform evidence-based guidelines.

Oral candidiasis is a common problem among immunocompetent patients. The frequent resistance of Candida strains to popular antimycotics makes it necessary to look for alternative methods of treatment. The authors conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The objective of this review was to determine whether curcumin-mediated aPDT and blue light could be considered as an alternative treatment for oral candidiasis. PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library databases were searched using a combination of the following keywords: (Candida OR candidiasis oral OR candidosis oral OR denture stomatitis) AND (curcumin OR photodynamic therapy OR aPDT OR photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy OR PACT OR photodynamic inactivation OR PDI). The review included in vitro laboratory studies with Candida spp., in vivo animal studies, and randomized control trials (RCTs) involving patients with oral candidiasis or prosthetic stomatitis, published only in English. The method of elimination of Candida species in the studies was curcumin-mediated aPDT. 757 studies were identified. Following the analysis of the titles and abstracts of the studies, only 42 studies were selected for in-depth screening, after which 26 were included in this study. All studies evaluated the antifungal efficacy of curcumin-mediated aPDT against C. albicans and non-albicans Candida. In studies conducted with planktonic cells solutions, seven studies demonstrated complete elimination of Candida spp. cells. The remaining studies demonstrated only partial elimination. In all cases, experiments on single-species yeast biofilms demonstrated partial, statistically significant inhibition of cell growth and reduction of biofilm mass. In vivo, curcumin-mediated aPDT has shown good antifungal activity against oral candidiasis also in an animal model. However, its clinical efficacy as a potent therapeutic strategy for oral candidiasis requires further RCTs.

Curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising approach for targeting oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a malignancy with a rising incidence. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from in vitro studies evaluating the anticancer efficacy of curcumin as a photosensitizer in PDT against OSCC cells. A comprehensive literature search across four databases identified eight eligible studies published between 2009 and 2024. The findings demonstrated that curcumin-PDT reduces OSCC cell viability, induces apoptosis, and impairs metabolic activity, particularly when curcumin is delivered via nanocarriers and activated with light sources near its absorption peak (430–457 nm). Despite methodological heterogeneity across cell lines, curcumin formulations, and light parameters, the photodynamic effects were reproducible and showed low dark toxicity. However, the lack of standardized protocols and absence of in vivo or clinical validation limit translational potential. Further preclinical research is needed to optimize treatment conditions and assess safety and efficacy in biological systems that more closely resemble the clinical environment.