Nigella sativa toothpaste promotes anti-inflammatory and anti-destructive effects in a rat model of periodontitis

Periodontitis is an infectious disease that results in gingiva tissue damage. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) toothpaste in a periodontitis tissue repair based on inflammation and periodontal extracellular matrix in vivo.

The periodontitis disease model was developed using Wistar rats infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). The rats were divided into three main groups as follows: those that did not receive any toothpaste treatment; those that were treated with N. sativa toothpaste twice a day (simultaneously with P. gingivalis induction); and normal healthy rats. The rats were sacrificed after 1 and 7 days of animal modeling. The number of inflammatory cells, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1 + and MMP8 + cells, levels of cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)) and density of collagen type 1 were determined in the gingival tissues of the rats.

The rats treated with N. sativa toothpaste had significantly lower numbers of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes than the non-treated rats after 1 and 7 days of treatment; likewise, the levels of IL-1β and PGE2 were lower in the treated experimental rats. In addition, the group treated with N. sativa toothpaste had fewer numbers of MMP1 + and MMP8 + cells and higher collagen density after 1 and 7 days of administration.

N. sativa toothpaste exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing both inflammatory cell count and activity. Additionally, N. sativa toothpaste demonstrated anti-destructive effects on the periodontal extracellular matrix. Thus, N. sativa toothpaste might be potentially used for the management of periodontitis.