Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Origanum Vulgare Extract as an Adjunct Therapy in Periodontitis: A Narrative Review

Muhammad Rakan Zaky Mufid¹, Azzehra Richa Adenina¹, Indeswati Diyatri^2*, and Anis Irmawati²

Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the periodontium and leads to progressive loss of alveolar bone, with a global prevalence of approximately 20-50% of the population. Conventional treatment, such as scaling and root planing, often fails to fully reach deep periodontal pockets and furcation areas, leaving residual calculus and persistent inflammation. Adjunctive antimicrobial therapies can improve outcomes in the short term, but their use is limited by concerns over antimicrobial resistance, safety, and cost. This has led to growing interest in natural-product adjuncts with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the most widely used and studied herbs for this purpose, containing bioactive compounds such as carvacrol, thymol, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoids. Carvacrol and thymol suppress inflammatory signalling pathways, including NF-κB, ERK1/2, and TLR4/ROS, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2. These compounds also show antibacterial activity against key periodontopathogens and inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, thereby limiting alveolar bone resorption. A clinical study using a topical O. vulgare-based gel reported improvements in probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and periodontopathogen levels in patients with periodontitis. This review synthesises current preclinical and clinical findings to highlight the anti-inflammatory potential of Origanum vulgare, while pointing out the need for standardised formulations and larger controlled clinical trials before it can be recommended as an adjunctive periodontal therapy.

Keywords

Origanum vulgare; oregano; carvacrol; thymol; periodontitis; anti-inflammatory; adjunct therapy

Cite This Article

Mufid, M. R. Z., Adenina, A. R., Diyatri, I., Irmawati, A. (2026). Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Origanum Vulgare Extract as an Adjunct Therapy in Periodontitis: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 7| Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026, Pages 490-497 URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Volume7-Issue5-Sep-Oct-No.1068-490-497.pdf

Volume 7 | Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026