A randomized, double-blind clinical study to assess the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of Aloe vera mouth rinse.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of Aloe Vera mouth rinse on experimental plaque accumulation and gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, and double-blind study, a total of 148 systemically healthy subjects were screened in the age group of 18-25 years. Finally, 120 subjects were requested to abstain from oral hygiene (tooth brushing) for 14 days and used a specially fabricated plaque guard. Following cessation of tooth brushing in the specified area, the subjects were randomly divided into Group A (test group) who received 100% Aloe vera, Group B (negative control group) who received placebo (distilled water), and Group C (positive control group) who received 0.2% chlorhexidine. The rinse regimen began on the 15(th) day and continued for 7 days. Plaque accumulation was assessed by Plaque Index (PI) and gingivitis was assessed by Modified Gingival Index (MGI) and Bleeding Index (BI) at baseline (0), 7(th), 14(th), and 22(nd) days. RESULTS: There was statistically significant decrease in PI, MGI, and BI scores after the rinse regimen began in both Group A (test group) and Group C (chlorhexidine) compared with Group B. Mouth wash containing Aloe vera showed significant reduction of plaque and gingivitis but when compared with chlorhexidine the effect was less significant. CONCLUSION: Aloe vera mouthwash can be an effective antiplaque agent and with appropriate refinements in taste and shelf life can be an affordable herbal substitute for chlorhexidine.

Multi-centre, randomized clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor with ß-tricalcium phosphate in human intra-osseous periodontal defects.

AIM: the objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a formulation containing recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB) and ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) in patients with periodontal defects and to compare it with those of ß-TCP alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: in this double-blind, prospective, parallel, active-controlled, randomized, multi-centre clinical trial, 54 patients with periodontal osseous defects were randomly assigned to rhPDGF-BB+ß-TCP or ß-TCP. Following periodontal surgery, respective implantation was performed. The primary and secondary end points of treatment were evaluated at the third and the sixth month. RESULTS: among the outcome measures, the extent of linear bone growth (p<0.01) and per cent bone fill (p<0.004) at the sixth month over baseline were significantly higher in the rhPDGF-BB+ß-TCP group when compared with the ß-TCP group. Similarly, it also resulted in significantly higher area under the curve clinical attachment level gain at 0-6 months (p<0.01), CAL gain and greater reduction in probing depth at the third and the sixth month than that with ß-TCP treatment alone. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both the groups and no serious adverse events were reported in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: rhPDGF-BB+ß-TCP is safe and effective in the treatment of periodontal defects. It increases bone formation and soft tissue healing (clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00496847; CTRI No.: CTRI/2008/091/000152).