Resveratrol supplementation as a non-surgical treatment in periodontitis and related systemic conditions.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity that represents a significant public health problem, especially in geriatric populations. Indeed, periodontal pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), the primary pathogen involved in the initiation and progression of periodontitis, can enter the bloodstream and unleash an inflammatory storm both local (mouth) and systemically, becoming a substantial contributor to the onset of disparate age-related conditions, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic antioxidant whose possible health benefits have gained significant attention in treating several disorders typical of the elderly and increasing lifespan. This polyphenolic compound has been shown to interfere with several pathogenic components through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties, making it a promising therapeutic agent in periodontitis. In this context, resveratrol can protect gingival cells and attenuate the inflammatory response. In addition, it can inhibit the activities of the primary periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), reducing its virulence. Therefore, this narrative review examined the potential application of resveratrol as an effective adjunctive therapeutic strategy in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis and its potential effects on systemic inflammation and associated disorders.