Antimicrobial activity of Curcuma longa L. extract on periodontal pathogens

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Curcuma longa L. extract (CLE) on periodontal pathogens. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were divided into three groups: Group I (n = 20) patients treated with scaling and root planning (SRP) only, Group II (n = 20) patients treated with SRP followed by subgingival irrigation with 1% CLE solution, and Group III (n = 20) patients treated with SRP followed by subgingival irrigation with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution. The clinical parameters (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI] scores, probing pocket depths) were recorded at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. The antimicrobial efficacy of 1% CLE and 0.2% CHX solutions against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were evaluated by disk diffusion method. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean values of zone of inhibition exhibited by both CLE and CHX solutions. All the groups showed significant improvement in the clinical parameters when compared to baseline values. The improvement in the PI and GI scores in the CLE group was lesser than that in CHX group by the end of the study period. Conclusion: CLE possess antimicrobial efficacy against the common periodontopathic bacteria. However, further large-scale studies evaluating the substantivity of C. longa are required to support its beneficial use in the treatment of periodontal diseases.