New drug therapy with natural compound shows promise against periodontal diseases

Periodontal diseases, commonly known as gingivitis and periodontitis, affect nearly 60% of adults aged 65 and older and contributing to substantial medical, psychological, and financial burdens. Driven by a deregulated immune response to oral bacteria, chronic inflammation can not only lead to gum tissue destruction and tooth loss but also is linked to numerous systemic conditions.

Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine discovered in a previous clinical study that the chronic gum inflammation can promote an aging-related condition called “senescence,” even in younger tissues. Senescent cells, which have permanently ceased to divide in response to stress, secrete inflammatory molecules that increase tissue damage, impair healing, and accelerate disease severity.

Now, a new translational study by the same research team reveals that targeting senescent cell burden could be an effective strategy for managing periodontal disease and promoting oral health.

In a paper published in the Journal of Dental Research, the researchers show that an anti-senescence therapy or “senotherapy,” consisting of an enzyme inhibitor called dasatinib and a natural flavonoid plant compound called quercetin, reduced markers of senescence and associated periodontal inflammation and bone loss in lab-dish and animal models.

“Our findings suggest that senotherapy offers a promising approach to preserving periodontal health,” says Esra Sahingur of Penn Dental Medicine. “Periodontitis is more than a bacterial infection—it’s driven by immune and metabolic dysfunction, cellular aging, and inflammation. By targeting inflammation and senescent cells, we may disrupt chronic disease cycle and unlock new preventive and therapeutic possibilities for oral and systemic health.”

Read more at Penn Dental Medicine.