Effect of 2% Curcumin Gel as a Local Drug Delivery System on Salivary MMP-8 Levels in Nonsurgical Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

associated with periodontal diseases, making it a natural way to treat such conditions.In India, it is known as Haldi, and the British used it as a curry spice.Turmeric contains a variety of phytoconstituents, including proteins (6.3%), fat (5.1%), minerals (3.5%), and a diarylheptanoid coloring substance (5%) referred to as curcuminoids.Rhizomes contain 1% free arabinose, 12% fructose, 2% glucose, and 30-60 m long zingiber starch grains.Curcumin IntroductIonPeriodontitis is a bacterial biofilm-induced inflammatory disease.The majority of biocidal events in periodontal tissues are brought on by the host's immune-inflammatory response to bacteria in plaque, which triggers destructive processes. 1,2Mechanical therapy, chemotherapy, and systemic antibiotic administration are some of the treatment options. 3,4Scaling, root planing, and curettage are all examples of traditional mechanical therapy, but they cannot eliminate irritants completely in inaccessible areas. 5,6hemotherapeutic drugs have been utilized as an adjuvant to mechanical therapy to improve the efficacy of conventional therapy.However, due to drawbacks in the use of systemic antibiotics-such as the development of resistance and side effects-the local drug delivery system has gained popularity over time. 6Mechanical therapy combined with local delivery systems reduces microbes and improves clinical parameters.Herbal medicines have been used for a long time.People trust their use in healthcare because of their biocompatibility, reduced toxicity, sustainability, and synergistic effects of their constituents.Common herbal products used in dentistry include neem, clove, cinnamon, turmeric, and Aloe vera, among which turmeric is a dietary spice and curcumin is its most active ingredient. 7It can help to eliminate inflammation and infection 1-