Researchers in Brazil have created a new biomaterial that could offer an effective way to treat periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease. The team at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo developed the material as part of an effort to improve treatment options for a condition that can destroy the structures holding teeth in place, leading to bone loss and reduced attachment between teeth and surrounding tissues.

Current treatments for periodontitis are designed to control infection and inflammation, but they generally do little to regenerate damaged periodontal tissue. Other approaches have been explored, but their results can vary and are often difficult to predict. To overcome these limitations, the researchers investigated natural bioactive materials that could address several aspects of the disease simultaneously.

The researchers combined jackfruit latex with pomegranate peel extract, which is known for its antimicrobial properties when applied topically, and simvastatin, an anti-inflammatory drug that has been studied for its ability to stimulate bone formation. Together, the ingredients formed a mucoadhesive matrix designed to act directly on damaged tissue. The biomaterial was found to promote osteoinduction, the process that encourages cells to develop into bone-forming tissue, within 14 days. The effect became stronger after 21 days, supporting the material’s potential as a treatment for periodontitis.

Prof. Eliana Aparecida de Rezende Duek, who co-ordinated the study, said: “We observed that the developed biomaterial has great potential for future applications in treating periodontitis and in other areas as well, especially since it involves a material that has received little attention in the scientific literature for biomedical use”.

The study was published in Polymer Bulletin.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260618041508.htm.