Eugenol alleviates the negative effects of experimental periodontitis and regulates adipokine hormones in rats

A chronic microbial infection that is mediated by the host's immune system is the cause of periodontal disease. As the world's population grows, phytotherapy is a therapeutic strategy that makes use of a renewable resource that can provide less costly medicines. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of eugenol administration on periodontitis by examining the effects of eugenol at different doses biochemically, histopathologically, and radiologically in rats with experimental periodontitis. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into four groups: 1. the healthy control group (CG), 2. The experimental periodontitis group (PG), 3. The experimental periodontitis+10 mg/kg eugenol group (EG10), and 4. the experimental periodontitis+20 mg/kg eugenol group (EG20). Alveolar bone loss was measured using micro-CT imaging. The TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, asprosin, and apelin levels were analyzed in the serum samples of rats. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. The data were analyzed statistically. The serum TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, asprosin, and apelin levels were found to be statistically significantly lower in the eugenol-applied groups (EG10 and EG20) than in the PG (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, asprosin, and apelin levels between the EG10 and EG20 (p < 0.05). In the measurements made using micro-CT imaging, alveolar bone loss was found to be at the lowest FR1 level, and in histopathological analysis, the least inflammation was observed in the EG20. It was concluded that the application of 20 mg/kg eugenol in rats with experimental periodontitis was a safe dose, was beneficial in alleviating bone loss, and had a positive effect on the healing process.