New drug therapy with natural compound shows promise against periodontal diseases
A translational study from the lab of Penn Dental Medicine’s Esra Sahingur shows ‘senotherapy’ drug combination is effective in managing gingivitis and periodontitis.
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.”
Nanoparticle blueprints reveal path to smarter medicines
New research involving Penn Engineering shows detailed variation in lipid nanoparticle size, shape, and internal structure, and finds that such factors correlate with how well they deliver therapeutic cargo to a particular destination.
A generous gift from alumni Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman brings the work of internationally acclaimed artist Jaume Plensa to the University of Pennsylvania. The latest addition to the Penn Art Collection expands Philadelphia's public art.
A massive chunk of ice, a new laser, and new information on sea-level rise
For nearly a decade, Leigh Stearns and collaborators aimed a laser scanner system at Greenland’s Helheim Glacier. Their long-running survey reveals that Helheim’s massive calving events don’t behave the way scientists once thought, reframing how ice loss contributes to sea-level rise.
