Antiplaque and antigingivitis effects of a gel containing Punica granatum Linn extract: a double-blind clinical study in humans

Alexandre Daher Yunes Salgado,Olívia Morais De Lima Mota,Juliana Lemos Maia,Sérgio Luís Da Silva Pereira,Telma Leda Gomes De Lemos

doi:10.1590/s1678-77572006000300003

Alexandre Daher Yunes Salgado, Olívia Morais De Lima Mota + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-77572006000300003

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Abstract

Objectives:The antiplaque and antigingivitis effects of a gel containing 10% Punica granatum Linn extract were evaluated using a 21-day partial-mouth experimental model of gingivitis.Methods:23 volunteers participated in this cross-over, doubleblind study, carried out in 2 phases of 21 days each. For each period of the experiment, an acrylic toothshield was made for each volunteer to carry the test or placebo gel as well as to avoid brushing of the 4 experimental teeth (posterior teeth in the lower left quadrant). The subjects were randomly assigned to use either the placebo gel (control group) or the test gel (experimental group) and were instructed to brush the remaining teeth normally 3 times a day. On days 0 and 21, the visible plaque index (VPI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were recorded.Results:The results did not show statistically significant difference between control and experimental groups for either of the indices (VPI and GBI).Conclusion:The gel containing 10% Punica granatum Linn extract was not efficient in preventing supragingival dental plaque formation and gingivitis.

Highlights

Gingivitis is a chronic inflammatory process limited to the gingiva and without either attachment or alveolar bone loss
The prevention of gingivitis by daily and effective supragingival plaque control using toothbrushing and dental floss is necessary to arrest a possible progression to periodontitis[3,11]
Mechanical plaque control methods have the potential to maintain adequate levels of oral hygiene, clinical experience and population-based studies have shown that such methods are not being employed as accurately as they should by a large number of people

Summary

Introduction

Gingivitis is a chronic inflammatory process limited to the gingiva and without either attachment or alveolar bone loss. It is one of the most frequent oral diseases, affecting more than 90% of the population, regardless of age, sex or race. The prevention of gingivitis by daily and effective supragingival plaque control using toothbrushing and dental floss is necessary to arrest a possible progression to periodontitis[3,11]. Mechanical plaque control methods have the potential to maintain adequate levels of oral hygiene, clinical experience and population-based studies have shown that such methods are not being employed as accurately as they should by a large number of people. Several chemotherapeutic agents such as triclosan, essential oils and chlorhexidine have been developed to control bacterial plaque, aiming at improving the efficacy of daily hygiene control measures[6,8,10,15,16,17,23,26]

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