Mangosteen and propolis blend may aid gum inflammation recovery
Researchers published a study in the journal Nutrients that investigated the efficacy of PMEC or placebo on gingival health in 104 patients with gingivitis over eight weeks. To do this they used changes in inflammatory biomarkers from gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as a primary focus.
The authors from Korea found that “PMEC consumption can attenuate gingival inflammation and mitigate periodontal tissue destruction by modulating key inflammatory mediators in gingival tissue”.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammatory gum condition that destroys the tissues supporting teeth, caused by an imbalance in the host's immune response to harmful biofilms.
It involves complex interactions between oral bacteria and immune cells, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory molecules like cytokines, prostaglandins, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which contribute to tissue inflammation and bone loss.
Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen), the tropical fruit, and propolis, a resinous substance from honeybees, are gaining attention for their potential benefits in promoting periodontal health, however, clinical evidence is limited.
Mangosteen contains bioactive compounds like xanthones and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and propolis is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.
As clinical measures can only provide information on past periodontal tissue destruction, recent research has focused on identifying periodontal disease biomarkers found in GCF, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and enzymes like MMP-8 and MMP-9, which have been linked to severity and progression.
Improved gum health
Participants took two capsules containing 194 mg of PMEC once daily for 8 weeks, or placebo, and the researchers collected GCF samples at weeks four and eight to investigate changes in inflammatory biomarkers.
The researchers revealed that the PMEC group exhibited a significant reduction in expression of all measured GCF biomarkers compared to the placebo group at eight weeks, including substantial reductions in IL-1β, PGE2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 levels compared to the baseline.
The authors stated that the most striking outcome of this study is the significant reduction in GCF biomarkers (IL-1β, PGE2, MMP-8, and MMP-9) observed in the PMEC group compared to the placebo group.
“These biomarkers are well-established indicators of periodontal inflammation and tissue destruction,” they noted.
“The consistent downregulation of these mediators suggests that PMEC may exert a potent anti-inflammatory effect in the periodontal microenvironment.”
They did however add that the potential of PMEC should be viewed cautiously given the study’s short duration and small sample size, adding that further studies are needed to validate the potential of PMEC as a natural, holistic approach to periodontal health.
Journal: Nutrients
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16173000
“The Clinical Effect of a Propolis and Mangosteen Extract Complex in Subjects with Gingivitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.”
Authors: Jung, Jae-Suk et al.
