Evaluating the efficacy of Centella asiatica on enhancement of oral health status in hyperglycemic patients - A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral secretagogue, anti-microbial and immunomodulatory properties of Centella asiatica in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: In-vivo and In- vitro assessment was conducted for a period of 3 months. A before and after trial for a period of 3 months of intervention was performed involving 20 participants. Unstimulated Saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples was collected from all the participants before and after the intervention period. The effectiveness of Centella asiatica was estimated by evaluating the pre and post intervention values of salivary flow rate, salivary pH, S.mutans count, GCF flow rate, neutrophils count and alpha 1 defensin levels. Results: This clinico-interventional study inferred that after the usage of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica mouth wash, there was a high statistically significant improvement in the GCF flow rate, GCF neutrophil count and alpha 1 defensin levels from baseline to 90thday (after 3 months) (P = 0.001). The salivary flow rate, salivary pH and S.mutans colony count showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The outcome of the current study enlightens the utility of ethnomedicinal plants and their usage, it is also helpful in enhancement of oral health status in hyperglycemic conditions. The current study concluded that rinsing twice with aqueous extract of Centella asiatica as mouth rinse for a period of 3 months has an immunomodulatory action. Clinical significance: Centella asiatica mouthwash can be used as an immunomodulatory agent.

Keywords

• Alpha 1 defensin levels
• Centella asiatica
• Diabetes mellitus
• Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)
• Saliva