Effects of Essential Oils and Selected Compounds from Lamiaceae Family as Adjutants on the Treatment of Subjects with Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Risk

Essential oils from different plant species were found to contain different compounds exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects with the potential to be a valid alternative to conventional chemotherapy that is limited in long-term use due to its serious side effects. Generally, the first mechanism by which an organism counteracts injurious stimuli is inflammation, which is considered a part of the innate immune system. Periodontitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease caused by a dysbiosis in the subgingival microbiome that triggers an exacerbated immune response of the host. The immune–inflammatory component leads to the destruction of gingival and alveolar bone tissue. The main anti-inflammation strategies negatively modulate the inflammatory pathways and the involvement of inflammatory mediators by interfering with the gene’s expression or on the activity of some enzymes and so affecting the release of proinflammatory cytokines. These effects are a possible target from an effective and safe approach, suing plant-derived anti-inflammatory agents. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current evidence about the effects of essentials oils from derived from plants of the Lamiaceae family as complementary agents for the treatment of subjects with periodontitis and their possible effect on the cardiovascular risk of these patients.