Effect of an Herbal Mouthwash Derived from Pedicough Syrup on Plaque, Gingival and Bleeding Indices in Patients with Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gingivitis is a reversible periodontal disease caused by plaque. It can be prevented and managed through mechanical and chemical plaque control methods. While chlorhexidine (CHX) is the gold standard mouthwash, its side effects have led to interest in herbal alternatives. Herbal mouthwashes containing plants such as Thymus vulgaris, Hedera helix, and Althaea officinalis show promise for treating gingivitis. PURPOSE: This study evaluates a novel herbal mouthwash, derived from Pedicough syrup, as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) for chronic gingivitis treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This double-blind randomized clinical trial included 45 systemically healthy individuals diagnosed with generalized chronic gingivitis. All the participants received phase 1 of periodontal treatment (oral hygiene instruction and SRP). They were then randomly assigned to three groups regarding the mouthwash they used as Group 1 (CHX mouthwash), Group 2 (Pedicough mouthwash), and Group 3 (placebo). Participants used 15ml of their assigned mouthwash twice daily for two weeks. At baseline and two weeks after using the mouthwashes, a single blinded operator assessed clinical periodontal parameters including gingival index, bleeding index, and plaque indices, which were evaluated across the entire mouth. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software with statistical significance set at p Value < 0.05. RESULTS: All groups demonstrated improvements in indices from baseline to the end of the study. The two test groups showed greater reductions in plaque, bleeding, and gingival indices compared to the placebo group, and these differences were statistically significant. However, no significant differences were observed between the test groups in terms of periodontal parameters. CONCLUSION: The new herbal mouthwash demonstrated beneficial effects on clinical periodontal parameters, including plaque, gingival, and bleeding indices, comparable to those of CHX when used as an adjunct to SRP in patients with gingivitis.