Clinical and Biochemical Effects of 1% Curcumin Solution as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing on Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of subgingival irrigation of curcumin as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. 
 Methods: 60 patients aged 30-50 years with chronic periodontitis recruited; 20 patients received subgingival irrigation of 1% of curcumin solution, 20 patients received subgingival irrigation of 0.12% of chlorhexidine solution, and 20 patients received scaling and root planing only (SRP). Pocket irrigation was conducted at baseline, 3, and 7 days after scaling and root planing. Clinical parameters and blood samples were collected at baseline before therapy and after two months of treatment to estimate the levels of total protein (TP), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme.
 Results: Significant reduction of clinical and biochemical parameters after two months of treatment in the curcumin group (P<0.05). Nearly the same pattern for the chlorhexidine group (P<0.05), with non-significant differences with a baseline for albumin (P>0.05). Reduction of clinical parameters (P<0.05) and increase of CRP, ALP, and TP levels had been seen after scaling and root planing in the SRP group. No significant differences between the three main groups in relation to clinical parameters (P>0.05), with the exception of the gingival index and biochemical parameters (P<0.05).
 Conclusions: Curcumin can be effectively used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing as chlorhexidine in chronic periodontitis due to the reduction of clinical parameters and inflammatory chemical markers; CRP, TP, and ALP enzyme.