Subgingivally Delivered Spirulina Gel and Chlorhexidine Gel in Periodontitis Patients - A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND

Periodontal diseases necessitate adjunctive therapies alongside mechanical debridement. Spirulina platensis, recognized for its antimicrobial properties and minimal side effects, offers promise in periodontal treatment.

AIMS: This study compares the efficacy of subgingivally delivered spirulina gel with chlorhexidine (CHX) gel both clinically and microbiologically in stage III periodontitis patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, split-mouth study was conducted with 23 subjects meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: Group I (control) received scaling and root planing (SRP) followed by 1% CHX gel, and Group II (test) received SRP followed by 4% spirulina gel. Clinical parameters such as Gingival Index (GI), Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index (mSBI), and probing depth were assessed at baseline, 3 rd week, and 6 th week. Microbial load assessment for Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) was conducted using real-time qPCR at baseline and 6 th week.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired t-tests, repeated measures analyses of variance using SPSS software.

RESULTS

Both groups exhibited significant improvements in clinical parameters and reduced P.g load, with no significant difference between the spirulina and CHX groups.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that 4% spirulina gel, when delivered subgingivally can be considered a viable adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy, offering a natural and potentially cost-effective alternative to traditional antimicrobial agents.