Assessment of clinical efficacy of locally delivered 0.2% Thymoquinone gel in the treatment of periodontitis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential benefits of local application of Thymoquinone gel as an adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) in subjects with chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty subjects with 40 test sites were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were further divided into 2 groups. Group I comprised of study subjects (Thymoquinone in addition to SRP) and Group II comprised of control subjects (only SRP). Clinical parameters such as Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Relative Attachment Level (RAL), were monitored at baseline and 6 weeks post operatively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were evaluated at baseline and 6 weeks post operatively using microcapillaries. In addition antimicrobial efficacy of Thymoquinone was evaluated against 3 bacteria using antimicrobial strains. RESULTS: Statistically highly significant reduction was observed in PI, GI and PPD, rise in RAL and GCF ALP level in both the groups at 6 weeks from baseline. On comparison between Group I and Group II, former demonstrated statistically significant reduction in PPD, GCF-ALP levels and rise in RAL but statistically no significant differences were observed in PI and GI at 6 weeks. On microbiological assessment of 0.2% Thymoquinone gel, it was observed to be sensitive against P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in clinical and biochemical parameters were achieved in the current study. Hence, it is concluded that intracrevicular application of 0.2% Thymoquinone gel could be a beneficial adjunct to SRP in treating chronic periodontitis.