Therapeutic potential of curcumin
Natural compounds have emerged as promising candidates in drug development due to their potent immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic and healing properties. They have shown significant therapeutic potential in clinical applications, such as mouth rinses, toothpastes, and localized delivery systems. The regulatory approval process for natural compounds is typically more straightforward compared to synthetic drugs, facilitating their adoption as viable alternatives for the prevention and treatment of oral-dental diseases. Among natural compounds, curcumin has gained particular attention, demonstrating robust anti-cancer, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory activities in numerous in vivo studies, whilst exhibiting a favorable safety profile for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we explore the therapeutic effects of curcumin and its metabolite, tetrahydrocurcumin, on dental pulp cells. Additionally, we compare these results with our previous findings on the effects of these natural compounds on periodontal ligament and gingival epithelial cells, further broadening our understanding of their therapeutic potential in oral tissues