Jackfruit Latex Biomaterial Shows Promise for Periodontitis Treatment

A new biomaterial made from jackfruit latex, pomegranate peel extract, and simvastatin shows promise for treating periodontitis. Researchers at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP) developed this material. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys tissues supporting teeth.

Conventional treatments for periodontitis often fail to regenerate periodontal tissues. This limits their long-term effectiveness. The new biomaterial aims to address this limitation. It combines natural, bioactive compounds to fight the condition.

Jackfruit latex provides adhesive properties, allowing the biomaterial to remain at the affected site longer. This promotes a more targeted release of therapeutic compounds. Pomegranate peel extract offers antimicrobial potential. Simvastatin, an anti-inflammatory drug, stimulates bone formation. When applied topically, simvastatin is more effective than oral administration, which is largely retained by the liver.

The researchers manually extracted and purified latex from jackfruit. They then incorporated pomegranate peel extract into this matrix. In vitro tests used human adipose-derived stem cells. Simvastatin concentrations of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.2% increased osteoinduction within 14 days. This effect was more pronounced after 21 days.

These findings suggest the biomaterial has potential for future applications in periodontitis treatment. Further studies will evaluate the system's efficacy and safety. The research was published in the journal *Polymer Bulletin*.