Flavonoids are plant-derived polyphenolic compounds claimed to help alleviate a variety of conditions, including diabetes, infectious endocarditis, and cancer. They have attracted substantial research interest as nutraceuticals owing to their diverse bioactivities. Periodontitis is a high-incidence inflammatory disease affecting the dentition-supporting periodontium. Although the etiology of periodontitis is diverse, microbial species in dental plaque are considered its main pathogenic agents. Here, we provide a review of flavonoid study findings relevant for periodontitis treatment and prevention. Cell biology and in vivo rodent model studies have revealed a multiple of flavonoid effects on periodontal cells and tissues, including regulation of inflammatory responses in periodontal components and potential preserving effects in periodontal ligament and alveolar bone tissues. Mechanistic studies have indicated that flavonoids may counteract the proinflammatory effects exerted by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) proteins through Toll-like receptor (TLR) responses. Potentially beneficial effects of flavonoids have been reported for various periodontium cells, including epithelial gingival cells, gingival fibroblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts, as well as for alveolar bone maintaining osteoblasts. The findings indicate that flavonoids are highly promising clinical agents for the prevention and reduction of periodontitis, which can be delivered easily to patients via mouthwash, toothpaste, and food products.
Keywords: Flavonoids; Nutraceutical; Pathogen-associated molecular patterns proteins; Periodontitis; Toll-like receptor.
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