Researchers from Penn Dental Medicine school published a study where they discovered that chronic inflammatory condition like periodontitis can lead to aging related condition like “senescence,” even in younger tissues.
Senescent cells though they permanently cease to divide in response to stressors like inflammation, oxidative stress, and microbial toxins continue to release inflammatory molecules that further increase tissue damage, impair healing, and accelerate disease severity.
According to a translational study lead by Dr. Esra Sahingur from the same institute, targeting the senescent cell burden can be an effective treatment approach for managing of periodontal disease. In this study significant reduction in senescence markers and associated periodontal inflammation and bone loss was seen in lab- dish and animal model, when anti- senescence therapy or senotherapy” was used.
Senotherapy consist of an enzyme inhibitor Dasatinib and a natural plant based flavonoid compound Quercetin.
“Periodontitis is more than a bacterial infection, it’s driven by immune and metabolic dysfunction, cellular aging, and inflammation. By targeting inflammation and senescent cells, we may disrupt chronic disease cycle and unlock new preventive and therapeutic possibilities for oral and systemic health. Our findings suggest that senotherapy offers a promising approach to preserving periodontal health,” says Dr. Esra Sahingur of Penn Dental Medicine.
Dr. Esra Sahingur and her team is planning for initiate early-stage clinical trials. They are hoping these initial clinical trials will provide proof-of-concept for the therapeutic potential of natural products like Quercetin either as standalone agents or in combination regimen. Its potential as host modulatory strategies to enhance clinical outcomes in the management of periodontal disease.
According to Dr. Sahingur, if the clinical trials turn out to be successful, it could lay the foundation for more targeted and effective treatments and delivery options, high risk patients like elderly, diabetics, and immunocompromised patients.
MBH/DB