Reducing the Inflammatory Cytokines by Ocimum basilicum Extract Green-Formulated Palladium Nanoparticles in the Rat Periodontal Model

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissues. Gingival inflammation, driven by excessive cytokine production, is a key contributor to this process. In contrast, Ocimum basilicum (basil), a plant with a rich history of traditional medicine, offers a natural alternative to synthetic treatments. This study aimed to explore the effects of administering O. basilicum extract-conjugated palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs@Basil) on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and IL1-β levels in a rat periodontal model. The plant extract served as a reducing agent and stabilizer for the synthesized nanoparticles. The resulting particles were characterized using different techniques. The materialization of PdNPs@Basil was approved by XRD results, which showed a crystallinity of PdNPs@Basil. FT-IR analysis confirms the linkage of the secondary metabolites of basil extract to the surface of NPs. The FE-SEM image shows a semispherical morphology for PdNPs@Basil with an average size of 26.45 nm. In the periodontal model investigation, rats' right mandibular first molar necks were infected with 0–3 ligatures to cause inflammatory periodontitis. Using the widely used immunological test ELISA, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC-1)-1, IL1-β, TNF-α, and IL-10) were ascertained. The results showed that administering PdNPs@Basil might reduce the production of IL1-β and TNF-α in the gum tissue of the rat periodontal model. Furthermore, the study's findings showed that, in comparison to the control group, the gum tissue of the rat periodontal model had higher levels of IL1-β and TNF-α. PdNPs@Basil decreased the mRNA expression of the TNF-α, RANK, IL1-β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase genes while increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and plasma bone alkaline phosphatase. The findings reveal that pre/post-treatment with PdNPs@Basil decreased the inflammatory symptoms related to periodontitis because of its direct action on the pro-inflammatory cytokines suppression.