A Comparative Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy and Salivary and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Interleukin – 6 Levels with Herbal and Probiotic Host Modulation Therapy in Chronic Periodontal Disease

Background Host modulation is fast gaining popularity as one of the most safe and effective therapeutic modalities in a number of systemic ailments and also periodontal disease. Of these, herbal agents and probiotics have emerged as popular therapeutic agents. The present study was attempted to comparatively evaluate for the first time the effects of both these agents on chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods In this double blinded randomized controlled clinical trial, 96 systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis between the ages of 25-55 years were randomly divided into 3 groups. Following scaling and root planing, group 1 was administered the herbal immunomodulator tablets twice daily for 2 weeks, group 2, probiotic tablets twice daily for 2 weeks and group 3 was not administered any agent. Changes in gingival index, gingival bleeding index, pocket depth and interleukin – 6 (IL-6) levels in saliva and GCF were assessed at day 0, at 1 month, at 3 months and 6 months following which statistical analysis was done. Results Statistically significant reduction (p<0.001) in clinical parameters and GCF IL-6 levels at 1, 3 and 6 months respectively within all 3 groups was observed. However, there was a significant reduction in salivary IL-6 levels within group 3 only. Group 1 showed better clinical results and salivary IL-6 reduction compared to group 2 and 3. Conclusion Both herbal and probiotic immunomodulators were effective when used as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis patients.