Assessment of the Efficacy of Subgingivally Delivered Liquorice Gel on Clinical Parameters and Prostaglandin E2 Levels in Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinico-Biochemical Study.

BACKGROUND

Liquorice, also known as "mulaithi" in North India, has shown anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-adherence effects that can prevent and treat various periodontal diseases.

AIM

This study aims to assess the efficacy of subgingivally delivered liquorice gel on clinical parameters and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in chronic periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A split-mouth, single-blind, prospective, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. Seventeen patients diagnosed with moderate chronic periodontitis with bilateral nearly symmetrical sites having a pocket depth of ≥4 mm but ≤6 mm were included in the study. A total of 60 sites were randomly divided into two groups, with 30 sites in each group: Group A, scaling and root planing (SRP) with subgingival delivery of liquorice gel, and Group B, SRP with subgingival delivery of placebo gel. The clinical parameters, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), samples were collected at baseline, 15th day, and 30th day after gel placement. The collected GCF samples were subjected to biochemical analysis of PGE2 levels using an ELISA kit. The Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed for intergroup and intragroup comparisons.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements in clinical and biochemical parameters were observed in both groups over time. Intergroup comparison of PI and GI showed statistically non-significant differences at all time intervals. Similarly, intergroup comparisons of PPD, CAL, and PGE2 levels showed statistically non-significant differences at baseline and 15th day. However, on the 30th day, PPD, CAL, and PGE2 levels revealed statistically significant differences between both groups. Our result corroborated that Group A, tested with liquorice gel, showed better results than Group B.

CONCLUSION

Liquorice gel can be used as an effective local drug delivery agent as an adjunct to SRP for treating chronic periodontitis.