Punicagranatum as a local drug delivery system: A Clinico microbiological study

Abstract

The use of herbal/ natural compounds can be comparatively safer alternative to those of synthetic compounds for periodontal therapy. The present study aims to investigate the effect of pomegranate extracts in form of chip for treating adult patients affected with periodontitis followed with scaling and root planing. The study was conducted in two parts: Invitro and Invivo. The study was a randomized controlled study and was addressed by clinical and microbiological parameters at base line and subsequent intervals. Material and methods:In vitro release was performed by using Keshary-chien diffusion cell for randomly selected strip. In vivo30patients with adult periodontitis having initial pocket depth ≥4 mm were enrolled into this research. For each subject two experimental sites were chosen located in symmetrical quadrants. Sites were randomly assigned to control group or test group. Then subgingival application of medicated chips was done in both groups. The clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 30 days and 90 days. Descriptive statistical analysis has been carried out in present study. Results: The in vivo study confirmed significant improvements of plaque index ratings with significant reduction in gingival index, plaque index and relative attachment level scores at 90 days as compared to control group. While Porphyromonasgingivalis ,Prevotellaintermedia , Fusobacteriumintermedia and Aggregatibacteractinomycetemcomitans showed a more significant reduction at 90 days as compared to control group. In vitro results showed complete drug release in – 72- 80 hours .Matrix degrades between 3 to 4 days. Pomegranate extracts in chip may provide additional advantages to scaling and root planing for improving periodontal status. KEYWORDS: Chip, gingiva, periodontal, pomegranate, punicagranatum