A comparative evaluation of lycopene versus diacerein gels in the treatment of stage II grade B periodontitis

Abstract Aim This study was directed to evaluate the adjunctive effect of topical application of lycopene gel versus diacerein gel in the treatment of stage II grade B periodontitis. Materials and methods Forty sites with stage II grade B periodontitis were randomly divided into four groups, 10 sites each. Group I (control group) received scaling and root planning (SRP) only, group II received SRP + 2% lycopene gel, group III received SRP + 2% diacerein gel, group IV received SRP + a mixture of 2% lycopene and 2% diacerein gels. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level were recorded at 1 and 3 months. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test to assess the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) endocan level. Results All groups showed statistically significant improvement for all the clinical parameters at 1 and 3 months in comparison to the baseline values ( P < 0.05). Intergroup comparison showed statistically significant improvement in plaque index at 1 month, probing pocket depth at 1 and 3 months, and in clinical attachment level at 3 months in favor of groups III and IV. Intergroup comparison of the GCF endocan level results showed a statistically significant improvement in GCF endocan level at 1 and 3 months for all groups in favor of groups III and IV. Conclusion All treatment modalities resulted in clinical improvement and biochemical benefits as adjunctive treatment to SRP. Since the diacerein and combination treatments showed relatively more favorable results, it is reasonable to assemble that they are potentiating materials for nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease.