Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of systemically administered curcumin, lycopene and piperine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing: A clinical study

BACKGROUND: The natural herbal extracts curcumin (Curcuma longa), lycopene and piperine demonstrated a very potent anti-inflammatory action and can be used as an antioxidant therapy in the management of inflammatory processes such as gingivitis and periodontitis. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of systemically administered extracts curcumin, lycopene and piperine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with moderate gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty systemically healthy participants with moderate gingivitis were enrolled in a randomized clinical study. Participants were randomly distributed into two treatment groups: Group I (test group) (350 mg/day antioxidant therapy) along with SRP for 3 weeks and Group II (control group) SRP alone. Clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index and probing pocket depth were evaluated at baseline and after 21 days using paired t-test. RESULTS: Both the treatment groups showed statistically significant reduction in clinical parameters, but the test group showed greater reduction as compared to control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results concluded that systemically administered antioxidants could cause better resolution of inflammation when used as an adjunct to SRP.