Evaluation of Cocos nucifera and Sesamum indicum in comparison with Chlorhexidine on gingivitis - A double blind Clinico-Immunological study

Abstract

Background: Myriad of synthetic products has been used in chemical plaque control. There is a constant search for cost effective herbal products with minimal adverse effect to substitute synthetic compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of Cocos nucifera and Sesamum indicum and compare their effect with commercially available chlorhexidine on gingivitis. Methods: In this double blind, randomized, control clinical trial, a total of 45 samples from patients aged between 18 to 35 years reporting to the institution, diagnosed with gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into Group-A (Scaling + Cocos Nucifera mouthwash), Group-B (Scaling + Sesamum Indicum mouthwash) and Group C (Scaling + Chlorhexidine mouthwash). Clinical (Plaque index, Gingival index and Sulcus bleeding index), and Immunological (Interleukin-6) parameters were assessed at baseline and 45^th day following scaling. Saliva samples were collected and stored at -20⁰C till they were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Inferential statistics done were analysis of variance, paired t test, post hock Scheffe test and Chi- square test by using SPSS software (22.0). Results: In Clinical parameters, group B (p˂0.001) showed statistical significant reduction compared to group A and group C.  In Immunological parameter group A (p˂0.001) showed statistical significant reduction in Interleukin-6 compared to group B and group C (p=0.126 & p=0.196 respectively). Conclusion: Cocos nucifera and Sesamum indicum mouth washes effectively decreased plaque formation and could be used as an adjunct to scaling in treating plaque induced gingivitis.