Metronidazole may display anti-inflammatory features in periodontitis treatment: A scoping review

Metronidazole (MTZ) is an antimicrobial agent used to treat anaerobic infections. It has been hypothesized that MTZ may also have anti-inflammatory properties, but the evidence is limited and has not been previously reviewed. Thus, this scoping review aimed to answer the following question: "Wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular oral microbiology 2024-08, Vol.39 (4), p.240-259
Main Authors: Suárez, Lina J, Arce, Roger M, Gonçalves, Cristiane, Furquim, Camila Pinheiro, Santos, Nidia Castro Dos, Retamal-Valdes, Belén, Feres, Magda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anaerobic treatment
Antimicrobial activity
Antimicrobial agents
Gum disease
Health services
Immune system
In vivo methods and tests
Inflammatory diseases
Innate immunity
Lymphocytes
Metronidazole
Periodontitis
Permeability
Reviews
Wound healing
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Summary:Metronidazole (MTZ) is an antimicrobial agent used to treat anaerobic infections. It has been hypothesized that MTZ may also have anti-inflammatory properties, but the evidence is limited and has not been previously reviewed. Thus, this scoping review aimed to answer the following question: "What is the evidence supporting anti-inflammatory properties of metronidazole that are not mediated by its antimicrobial effects?" A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR statement. Five databases were searched up to January 2023 for studies evaluating the anti-inflammatory properties of MTZ used as monotherapy for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases. A total of 719 records were identified, and 27 studies (21 in vivo and 6 in vitro) were included. The studies reported experimental evidence of MTZ anti-inflammatory effects on (1) innate immunity (barrier permeability, leukocyte adhesion, immune cell populations), (2) acquired immunity (lymphocyte proliferation, T-cell function, cytokine profile), and (3) wound healing/resolution of inflammation. Taken together, this scoping review supported a potential anti-inflammatory effect of MTZ in periodontitis treatment. We recommend that future clinical studies should be conducted to evaluate specific MTZ anti-inflammatory pathways in the treatment of periodontitis.
ISSN:2041-1006
2041-1014
2041-1014
DOI:10.1111/omi.12459