%0 Journal Article
%T Metronidazole may display anti-inflammatory features in periodontitis treatment: A scoping review.
%A Suárez LJ
%A Arce RM
%A Gonçalves C
%A Furquim CP
%A Santos NCD
%A Retamal-Valdes B
%A Feres M
%J Mol Oral Microbiol
%V 39
%N 4
%D 2024 Aug 13
%M 38613247
%F 4.107
%R 10.1111/omi.12459
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Metronidazole (MTZ) is an antimicrobial agent used to treat anaerobic infections. It has been hypothesized that MTZ may also have anti-inflammatory properties, but the evidence is limited and has not been previously reviewed. Thus, this scoping review aimed to answer the following question: "What is the evidence supporting anti-inflammatory properties of metronidazole that are not mediated by its antimicrobial effects?"<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR statement. Five databases were searched up to January 2023 for studies evaluating the anti-inflammatory properties of MTZ used as monotherapy for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 719 records were identified, and 27 studies (21 in vivo and 6 in vitro) were included. The studies reported experimental evidence of MTZ anti-inflammatory effects on (1) innate immunity (barrier permeability, leukocyte adhesion, immune cell populations), (2) acquired immunity (lymphocyte proliferation, T-cell function, cytokine profile), and (3) wound healing/resolution of inflammation.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Taken together, this scoping review supported a potential anti-inflammatory effect of MTZ in periodontitis treatment. We recommend that future clinical studies should be conducted to evaluate specific MTZ anti-inflammatory pathways in the treatment of periodontitis.