Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Modulates NF-κB in Porphyromonas gingivalis - Induced Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a severe bacterial infection that affects soft tissues around teeth. Periodontitis is caused by a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium called Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), which promotes the expression of nuclear factor kappa β (NF-κβ). In recent years, medical herbs such as green tea containing Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) have been employed extensively in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial studies due to their low toxicity and strong efficacy based on their multitarget therapy. The mucoadhesive drug delivery system adheres to the surface of the oral mucosa, providing sustained release, enhancing local effects, bypassing first-pass metabolism, and minimizing systemic side effects. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an EGCG-loaded mucosal gingival patch on periodontitis caused by P. gingivalis. Periodontitis was induced in Wistar rats by administering 0.03 mL containing 1010 (CFU) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) into the incisive gingival sulcus of the mandible of the anterior teeth. The rats with induced periodontitis received the treatment as mucoadhesive gingival patches loaded with EGCG (GP-EGCG), doxycycline (GP-doxy), and blank patches for one hour daily over 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the anterior inferior gingival sulcus after the treatment. Results showed that the treatment of periodontitis with GP-EGCG significantly lowered NF-κB expression compared to the control groups following treatment during 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days (p < 0.05). EGCG has effectively reduced inflammatory markers in P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis. These findings suggest that the treatment based on EGCG holds promising potential for managing periodontitis, providing an alternative approach to traditional therapies.