MMP-7 Levels Decrease in Gingival Epithelium Exposed to Porphyromonas Gingivalis after Curcumin administration

Periodontitis is an irreversible inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissues. The leading cause of periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria, which secretes virulence factors, namelyLipopolysaccharide (LPS) and proteases, which cause the inflammation of gingival junctional epithelium and loss of attachment, resulting in the formation of a periodontal pocket. The most common type of MMP found in the junctional epithelium is MMP-7. Invasion of Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria causes an increase in proteolytic activity on the expression and activation of MMP-7, which causes loss of attachment. Efficacious plant extracts, namely irrigated curcumin 1%, have an anti-inflammatory effect. This research is independent research using experimental white rats (Rattus norvegicus) male strain Wistar, 20 weeks old, with a body weight of 325-350 grams. This research is to see the levels of MMP-7 with the ELISA method. Forty-eight periodontitis model rats were divided into two groups. Twenty-four periodontitis model rats as the control group were exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis, and another twenty-four periodontitis model rats as the treatment group were exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis and 1% curcumin irrigation. Each group was observed at 24 hours, on days-7 and days-14. The results showed that MMP-7 levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than in the control group on on days-7 and days-14. In the treatment group, MMP-7 levels at 24 hours were significantly lower than on the on days-7 and days-14. In the treatment group, MMP-7 levels did not experience a significant difference between the on days-7 and days-14. The results of this study indicate that 1% curcumin can reduce MMP-7 levels in cases of chronic periodontitis due to Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria.