Additive Effect of Brown Flaxseed Extract Gel on Postsurgical Periodontal Therapy in Periodontitis Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Flaxseed is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could be attributed to periodontal wound healing. Early wound healing contributes to favourable treatment outcomes. Glutathione peroxidase is a ubiquitous antioxidant biomarker known for its scavenging action of free radicals, thereby maintaining the health of periodontal tissues. Aim: To evaluate the additive effect of brown flaxseed gel following surgical periodontal therapy. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from November 2023 to February 2024. Total of 30 patients were included in the study, with 15 patients in the control group and the other 15 patients (test group) were administered brown flaxseed gel following flap surgery. The included patients were allocated into test and control groups through simple randomisation. Postoperative flap surgery, the Early Healing Index (EHI), and healing scores were evaluated at the 1st and 2nd weeks. Salivary glutathione peroxidase levels were also assessed at the 1st and 2nd weeks following periodontal therapy. An Independent t-test was used to compare the mean values between the test group and the control group. Results: The mean age of the eligible participants was 35.6±4.57 years. Better healing was observed in the test group compared to the control group in the 1st postoperative week, as recorded by the EHI with a mean of 2.96±0.90 in the test group and 2.06±0.70 in the statistically significant control group. Salivary glutathione levels were significantly increased in the test group with a mean concentration of 14.1±.78 mu/mL and 10.5±0.42 mu/mL in the control group at the end of the 2nd week, respectively. Conclusion: Brown flaxseed gel is an efficacious therapeutic agent in improving periodontal wound healing and also has prudent antioxidant activity.

Keywords

• anti-inflammatory
• antioxidant properties
• flap surgery
• linoleic acid
• omega-3 fatty acids
• wound healing