Periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis remain a global health problem, especially affecting nearly 60% of people aged 65 and over.
The root cause of these diseases is the abnormal response of the immune system to oral bacteria, which causes chronic inflammation, which may eventually lead to gum tissue damage, tooth loss, and is associated with a variety of systemic diseases.
In 2024, a clinical study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine found that chronic gingival inflammation can cause cell “senescence” in relatively young tissues.
These senescent cells no longer divide when faced with stress, but continue to release inflammatory molecules, exacerbating local tissue damage, inhibiting the healing process, and accelerating the progression of the disease.
In a recent translational study published in the Journal of Dental Research, the same research team further found that eliminating or inhibiting senescent cells may become a new strategy for treating periodontal disease and improving oral health.
The study tested a combination “senescence therapy” consisting of the enzyme inhibitor dasatinib and the natural flavonoid plant compound quercetin.
The study showed that this therapy can significantly reduce senescent cell markers in in vitro cell culture and animal experimental models, and effectively reduce periodontitis-related inflammatory responses and bone loss.
Dr. Esra Sahingur, the corresponding author of the study and a member of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, said: “Our study reveals the potential of anti-aging therapy in maintaining periodontal health.
Periodontitis is not a simple bacterial infection. It is also affected by immune and metabolic dysfunction, as well as cellular aging and chronic inflammation.
By targeting senescent cells and inflammatory mechanisms, we hope to break the vicious cycle of chronic diseases and provide a new treatment direction for improving oral and systemic health.”
Currently, the Sahingur team plans to launch an early clinical trial to specifically evaluate the specific effects of quercetin on biological and clinical indicators in patients with gum disease.
Future studies may also explore the strategy of adding dasatinib in a low-dose, intermittent manner to confirm its safety and potential benefits in periodontal treatment.
Dr. Sahingur added: “We hope that these early clinical studies can provide initial proof of concept for natural product treatments.
Whether used as a monotherapy or in combination with other drugs, natural substances such as quercetin may be an effective means of modulating host responses and improving the clinical efficacy of existing periodontal disease treatments.
If the results are promising, it will provide more precise and effective treatment options for high-risk patients with severe periodontitis.”
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