The effect of local application of melatonin gel on the healing of periodontal osseous defects in experimentally induced diabetes in rabbits

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of local application of melatonin gel on the healing of surgically induced periodontal osseous defects in diabetes-induced rabbits.Material and methodsDiabetes induction was done for 28 rabbits, then, acute periodontal osseous defects were done. Rabbits were divided into: group I: periodontal defects filled with collaplug saturated with placebo gel and group II: periodontal defects filled with collaplug saturated with 2 mg melatonin gel. The expression of RANKL m RNA in the gingival biopsies was examined by real time RT-PCR. Histological and histomorphometric evaluation were performed for both groups at 3 and 6 weeks.ResultsThe levels of RANKL mRNA expression were significantly increased at 2 weeks after diabetes induction. Then, ten days after application of melatonin gel, the level of expression of RANKL significantly decreased as compared to control group. Histologically and histomorphometrically, there was a high significant increase in the percentage of new bone formation and the number of osteoblasts in melatonin-treated group as compared to control group. The number of osteoclasts significantly decreased in melatonin-treated group in both examination periods.ConclusionThe local application of 2 mg melatonin gel offers a promising therapeutic approach for an efficient bone and PDL regeneration.