Phytochemicals in Periodontal Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Major regenerative therapies for periodontium are guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and bone grafting. Grafting the bone with hydroxyapatite is the current standard of care. Phytochemicals possess biological activity in animal physiological systems that offers affordable standard of care to the patients. In this context, osteogenic phytochemicals are reported in the literature. However, there is a lacuna in the literature in comparative efficacy of these phytochemicals. In this review three phytochemicals are compared – viz.β-sitosterol, Genistein and Emodin. Having proven by the previous investigators that β-sitosterol, Genitein and Emodin have effective osteogenic action when applied locally, it would be prudent to analyse the synergistic action for better osteogenesis. In principle, synergistic action is advantageous for both intensity and duration of action. As these molecules act at cellular level and have action on wide range of cells, it is necessary to deliver them locally with a proper scaffold or instrument. Effective combinations of these molecules can be incorporated with periodontal regenerative materials (GTR) to shift the balance towards regeneration of periodontium.