Clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival irrigation with Streblus asper leaf extract in chronic periodontitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival irrigation of Streblus asper leaf extract (SAE) solution as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODOLOGY: Forty-two subjects were included and treated with SRP at baseline (week 0), followed by subgingival irrigation with saline (control group, n=21) or SAE (test group, n=21) solution (80 mg/ml) at weeks zero, one, two, three, and four. Clinical parameters, including gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and relative attachment level (RAL) were measured at weeks zero, six, and 12. Microbiological parameters were measured at weeks zero, one, two, three, four, six, and 12. RESULTS: The SAE solution significantly reduced the GI compared with saline solution (p < 0.01). However, a reduction in PI, PD, and RAL was noted for both groups, with no statistically significant intergroup differences. The reduction in the number ofA. actinomycetemcomitans and/or P. gingivalis was maintained throughout the study period after subgingival irrigation with SAE solution, while an initial reduction and subsequent rebound were observed after saline irrigation. However, the mean number and mean percentages of sites with 10 times the reduction in number of these bacteria were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Subgingival irrigation with SAE solution as an adjunct to SRP is effective at reducing gingival inflammation, but not PD, RAL, and the number of A. actinomycetemcomitans and/or P. gingivalis.