Protective effects of crocin on biochemistry and histopathology of experimental periodontitis in rats.

We investigated the effectiveness of crocin for preventing oxidative damage in experimentally produced periodontitis. We used three groups of 10 female Wistar rats divided into: control (C); experimental periodontitis (EP), experimental periodontitis + crocin (Cr-EP). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were measured. We examined histopathology and inflammatory cell infiltration in gingiva and periodontal ligament. MDA and TOS levels, and SOD and CAT activities increased significantly in rats with induced periodontitis compared to the control group, while GSH and TAS levels were decreased significantly compared to the control group. Histopathologic examination revealed inflammatory cell infiltration in gingiva epithelium and subepithelial connective tissue in the EP group. Histological damage was reduced significantly after crocin treatment compared to the EP group. Crocin supplementation may help reduce oxidative damage to periodontal tissues.