TNF and periodontitis: It is also hypothesized that bromelain inhibits the development and progression of periodontitis through the elimination of important cell surface molecules (CD25) in leucocytes (proteolytic activity of bromelain), decreased growth of periodontal microorganisms (anti-adhesion property), reduced migration of neutrophils to periodontal sites (the hyperactivity of the neutrophils leads to damage of the periodontium), downregulating of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)), decreased osteoclastogenesis process with reduction in alveolar bone loss (Figure 8a,b) [110,111].