The effect of lycopene administration in periodontal diseases: A systematic review and meta analysis

Abstract

Background: Lycopene is a dietary antioxidant which provides defense against oxidation. Oxidative stress may result in periodontal tissue damage. There is a positive relationship between lycopene consumption and reduction in the risk of development of degenerative diseases caused by free radicals, such as periodontitis and other diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, arthritis, stroke, hepatitis. This systematic review discusses the studies conducted to assess the effect of lycopene in periodontal health. Aim: To evaluate the effect of lycopene in maintaining periodontal health. Search Methods: An electronic database search was conducted from the following databases: PubMed, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, EMBASE and Google scholar. Selection Criteria: Randomized controlled trials, experimental studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies published in peer reviewed journals in English language were included. Case reports, case series, animal model studies, in-vitro studies, studies where lycopene was combined with other antioxidants or with additional therapeutic methods and unpublished research were excluded. Data Collection and Analysis: Total 36451 results were obtained after database search. It included case- control studies, experimental studies, reviews and randomized control trials. Out of which, only six studies satisfied the selection criteria. Data extraction sheet was prepared & the studies were analyzed. Results: Out of the six studies analyzed, all were randomized controlled trial. Conclusion: Lycopene has been used widely as an antioxidant in the treatment of chronic diseases. However, Literature is deficient in the studies regarding the effect of lycopene on periodontal health.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• carotenoids
• gingivitis
• lycopene
• periodontal disease
• periodontitis
• tomatoes