Curcumin in Periodontitis Management: Mechanistic Insights and Emerging Therapeutic Applications

Periodontitis, a widespread oral disease, Periodontitis, a pervasive oral pathology, often defies traditional therapeutic approaches, which—despite their range—are not without limitations. Recently, curcumin, a plant-derived bioactive compound, has attracted substantial academic interest for its diverse biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. These properties make curcumin a particularly promising candidate for the management of periodontitis. This review begins by outlining the essential features of curcumin alongside the underlying mechanisms contributing to periodontitis. We then offer an exhaustive evaluation of curcumin’s influence on periodontitis, synthesizing evidence from both foundational and clinical studies. In the section focusing on mechanistic insights, we discuss the pathways through which curcumin alters the initiation and progression of periodontitis. Moving on to clinical applications, we detail curcumin’s supplementary role in minimally invasive procedures, its incorporation into oral healthcare products, and its emerging potential both as a photosensitizing agent and within nanodelivery frameworks for the treatment of periodontitis. In conclusion, we forecast the future of curcumin-based interventions in periodontitis, spotlighting its key contributions, foreseeable challenges, inherent limitations, and avenues for further research. Overall, curcumin emerges as a robust natural adjunct, holding substantial promise in both therapeutic and preventive strategies for periodontitis.