CB2 Receptor Activation Emerges as Promising Target for Treating Gum Disease

CNR2 (CB2) gene expression was significantly reduced in periodontitis tissue. Animal studies showed CB2 activation increased receptor expression, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mitigated alveolar bone loss. CB1 activation also reduced inflammation and bone loss. Bioinformatics analysis revealed CB1 and CB2 have distinct but complementary roles in periodontal inflammation.

Systematic review searching PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for studies on periodontitis and endocannabinoid system through August 2024. 9 studies met inclusion criteria (3 clinical, 6 preclinical). Supplemented with in silico analysis using GSE16134 dataset for gene expression and pathway analysis.

Periodontitis affects a large portion of the global population and can lead to tooth loss. Identifying the endocannabinoid system as a modulator of gum inflammation opens a new therapeutic avenue that could complement existing treatments.

This review bridges cannabinoid pharmacology and dentistry, a relatively unexplored intersection. While primarily preclinical, the findings suggest CB2-targeted therapies could eventually become part of periodontal treatment strategies.

Only 9 studies met criteria, mostly preclinical. Heterogeneous study designs. Clinical studies were small. In silico analyses are hypothesis-generating, not confirmatory. No clinical trials of cannabinoid-based periodontal treatments exist.