Effect of Lactoferrin as Supportive Treatment for Coronavirus Disease on Oral Health: A Narrative Review

Mohamed, Nouran Samir; Ghobar, Somaia

doi:10.21608/sisj.2024.306892.1006

Effect of Lactoferrin as Supportive Treatment for Coronavirus Disease on Oral Health: A Narrative Review

Document Type : Narrative Review Article

Authors

¹ department of Pediatric Dentistry,sinai university qantara branch,ismailia,Egypt

² lecturer at pediatric dentistry and public health, Sinai university, Kantara campus

10.21608/sisj.2024.306892.1006

Abstract

Background: Lactoferrin (LF) is an extremely preserved, pleiotropic, iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family that is produced and released by glandular cells and is present in the most of bodily fluids. Research suggests that LF may be used to manage or avert a variety of microbial illnesses, also it's proved that LF can be considered as supportive treatment for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Lactoferrin is a nonheme iron-binding glycoprotein strongly expressed in human and bovine milk and it plays many functions during infancy such as iron homeostasis and defense against microorganisms. In humans, LF is mainly expressed in mucosal epithelial and immune cells. The aim of this review is to highlight the multifunctional activities of Lf on general and oral health. Materials and Methods: 144 articles were selected based on their titles and abstracts across many electronic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Scopus by providing an overview about the mechanisms related to LF intrinsic synthesis and discussing the large variety of its physiological functions such as iron homeostasis, immune regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis while specifying the mechanisms of action. Finally, we will focus on its recent physiopathology implication in management of corona virus disease and it's relation to dental caries and periodontitis. Conclusion: Lactoferrin may be a crucial nutrient to support host immunity were gathered, acting as an antiviral and antibacterial agent, but especially keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic.

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