Propolis as an adjuvant to non-surgical periodontal treatment: a clinical study with salivary anti-oxidant capacity assessment

BACKGROUND. Periodontal diseases are characteristic for the excessive release of oxidant free-radicals by the host. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an anti-oxidant-based formula containing propolis and herbs as an adjunctive therapy to standard non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) when compared to the domiciliary use of chlorhexidine-based formulae. METHODS. Forty patients were enrolled in the present study and randomly allocated to either a control (NSPT plus chlorhexidine gel formula) group or a test (NSPT plus anti-oxidant gel formula) group. Clinical parameters for the assessment of the periodontal status were evaluated at baseline, one month, and three months after NSPT, and the salivary antioxidant capacity as well. RESULTS. There were no significant clinical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). However, patients within the test group (propolis) achieved better results in terms of oxidative stress reduction (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS. In the present study, propolis was comparable to chlorhexidine in the clinical management of gingivitis. Further studies are needed to investigate its potential as a redox modulator for the oral microbiome.