Evaluation of Efficacy of Locally Delivered Red Ginseng Gel as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in the Treatment of Chronic gingivitis Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Study

Abstract Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease destroying tooth supporting structures. Although the microbial insult is the predominant etiological factor, host inflammatory response plays a major role in tissue destruction. Increased prevalence and severity is evident in patients with chronic periodontitis and Diabetes mellitus. Red Ginsengs are reported to contain anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory effects. It also seems to be beneficial in the control of blood sugar levels in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of locally delivered red ginseng gel in the management of chronic gingivitis with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Thirty-five systemically healthy patients were randomly allocated to the test group [red ginseng gel] or the control group [Chlorhexidine gel]. Full mouth Gingival Index (GI) and Full mouth Plaque Index (PI) were evaluated at baseline and on the 7th day. 35 sites in 15 patients (age 20-55 years) were randomly selected for the study. The mean plaque index score at baseline for Test sites was 0.84± 0.13 and after 6 weeks it was further decreased to 0.61 ± 0.14. The mean Gingival index score at baseline for Test sites was 0.85 ± 0.11 and after 6 weeks it was further decreased to 0.69 ± 0.13. Within the limitation of the study, red ginseng gel can be recommended as an adjunct for mechanical periodontal therapy and can be used for long term maintenance in supportive periodontal therapy in patients of chronic gingivitis with type II diabetes mellitus patients.