Assessment of the Antimicrobial Effect of Momordica charantia (Bitter Gourd Oil) on Periodontal Pathogens: An In Vitro Study.

Background Chronic periodontitis is primarily caused by various bacterial species present in the plaque biofilm, which trigger a host inflammatory response. This leads to the abnormal release of inflammatory mediators such as proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α), which are free radicals that cause alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. ​​​ (bitter gourd) is a widely used medicinal plant for the treatment of numerous diseases such as skin infections, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and carcinomas for several decades.