Topical application of cashew gum or chlorhexidine gel reduces overexpression of proinflammatory genes in experimental periodontitis.

This study aimed to explore the effect of topically administering an orabase gel containing cashew gum (CG), a complex polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L., on the transcription of important proinflammatory (COX-2, NOS-2, INF-γ, OSCAR, and MYD88) and anti-inflammatory genes (IL-10, IL-4, and TGFß1) in the gingival tissues of rats with ligature-induced periodontitis, compared to the effect observed upon topically applying a well-known antibiofilm agent (chlorhexidine) under the same experimental conditions. The gene expression profile in the gingival tissues of rats with periodontitis treated with CG did not statistically significantly differ from that observed in the group of animals treated with chlorhexidine. Results showed that CG is able to attenuate general inflammation in the periodontium by reducing the transcription of proinflammatory mediators in a MYD88-independent manner, and not by inducing the expression of anti-inflammatory factors. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CG and chlorhexidine treatment reduced significantly the gene overexpression (COX-2, NOS-2, INF-γ, OSCAR, and TGFß1) in the model of ligature-induced periodontitis.

Orabase formulation with cashew gum polysaccharide decreases inflammatory and bone loss hallmarks in experimental periodontitis.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical characteristics and the effects of an orabase gel with Cashew Gum Polysaccharide (CG-P) from Anacardium occidentale L. on alveolar bone loss and relative mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, RANK, RANKL, and OPG in the periodontal tissue of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) subjected to ligature-induced periodontitis. Crude cashew gum was collected and purified by chemical processes; then, the CG-P was mixed with orabase gel. Female rats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each: saline 0.9% (Sal Group); orabase gel (Gel Group); 50mg CG-P/1g orabase gel (CG-P50 Group) and 150mg CG-P/1g orabase gel (CG-P150 Group). Periodontitis was induced in the animals; they were treated for 20days with one daily topical application. The purification process of CG-P presented high yield and resulted in a protein-free product. The treatment with CG-P150 (150mg CG-P/1g orabase gel) significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, decreased the relative mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, RANKL and the RANKL/OPG ratio, and caused a significant decrease in myeloperoxidase activity of the gingival tissue. Thus, the CG-P in orabase represents a potential adjuvant drug for the treatment of periodontitis and possible source of new biotechnological discoveries.