How short peptides interact with oral cells? A systematic review
Giulia Tetè1, Aleksandr Trofimov2,3, Natasha Cinta Vinskid4
1Department of Human Sciences, "Sustainable Blue Economy and One Health"-XL Cycle, Law, and Economics "Leonardo da Vinci", UNIDAV, Telematic University, Chieti, Torrevecchia Teatina, 66100, Italy. g.tete@unidav.it.
BMC Oral Health
|April 8, 2025
Summary
Short peptides show promise in dentistry for treating oral diseases. This review highlights their antibacterial, antitumor, and regenerative properties, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Oral Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Short peptides offer unique biological properties including antibacterial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects.
- They also show potential in tissue regeneration and stem cell differentiation for dental applications.
- This systematic review analyzes the role of short peptides in oral disease pathogenesis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on short peptides in dentistry.
- To analyze their role in the pathogenesis and treatment of oral diseases.
- To identify key peptides and their functions in oral cavity cells and tissues.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search following PRISMA statement and PICO(S) approach.
- Inclusion of English-language in vitro studies from major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library).
- Screening of 1085 articles, with a final selection of 9 relevant studies after rigorous analysis and exclusion of outdated methodologies.
Main Results:
- Eight in vitro studies on short peptides with diverse functions in oral cells and tissues were included.
- Four studies demonstrated positive influence on oral cell proliferation.
- Two studies highlighted antitumor activity, one showed antimicrobial effects (DJK-15), and another indicated anti-inflammatory properties (Pep-B).
Conclusions:
- Short peptides show significant in vitro efficacy in targeting oral cells and tissues.
- Findings provide a basis for future in vitro and in vivo studies.
- Further research can explore mechanisms and applications for novel oral disease therapeutics.


