Curcumin versus propolis gel adjunctive to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis: A comparative study

Abstract

Local herbal drug delivery may enhance non-surgical periodontal therapy by sustaining anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity at periodontal sites. This study randomized 15 systemically healthy patients aged 30-60 years to scaling and root planing (SRP) alone, SRP plus curcumin gel, or SRP plus propolis gel and recorded plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and relative attachment level through 6 months. All groups showed clinical improvement, with propolis producing the greatest improvement in plaque and gingival indices and curcumin showing a notable gain in relative attachment level. Adjunctive herbal therapy also reduced probing depth, although the pattern of benefit differed between the two test gels. Thus, curcumin and propolis gels are useful adjuncts to SRP, with propolis showing more consistent overall benefit and curcumin showing promise for attachment gain.