Lactoferrin and oral pathologies: a therapeutic treatment

The oral cavity is a non-uniform, extraordinary environment characterized by mucosal, epithelial, abiotic surfaces and secretions as saliva. Aerobic and anaerobic commensal and pathogenic microorganisms colonize the tongue, teeth, jowl, gingiva and periodontium. Commensals exert an important role in host defenses, while pathogenic microorganisms can nullify this protective function causing oral and systemic diseases. Every day, 750-1,000 ml of saliva, containing several host defense constituents including lactoferrin (Lf), are secreted and swallowed. Lf is a multifunctional iron-chelating cationic glycoprotein of innate immunity. Depending on or regardless of its iron binding ability, Lf exerts bacteriostatic, bactericidal, anti-biofilm, anti-oxidant, anti-adhesive, anti-invasive and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we report the Lf protective role in different oral pathologies, such as xerostomia, halitosis, alveolar or maxillary bone damages, gingivitis, periodontitis and black stain. Differently from antibiotic therapy, ineffective against bacteria living in biofilm, adherent and with intracellular lifestyle, Lf topical administration, through its simultaneous activity against microbial multiplication, biofilm, adhesion, invasion as well as inflammation, has been proven to be efficient in the treatment of all mentioned oral pathologies without any adverse effects.