Subgingivally Delivered Spirulina Gel and Chlorhexidine Gel in Periodontitis Patients - A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases necessitate adjunctive therapies alongside mechanical debridement. Spirulina platensis, recognized for its antimicrobial properties and minimal side effects, offers promise in periodontal treatment. AIMS: This study compares the efficacy of subgingivally delivered spirulina gel with chlorhexidine (CHX) gel both clinically and microbiologically in stage III periodontitis patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, split-mouth study was conducted with 23 subjects meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: Group I (control) received scaling and root planing (SRP) followed by 1% CHX gel, and Group II (test) received SRP followed by 4% spirulina gel. Clinical parameters such as Gingival Index (GI), Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index (mSBI), and probing depth were assessed at baseline, 3 rd week, and 6 th week. Microbial load assessment for Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) was conducted using real-time qPCR at baseline and 6 th week. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired t-tests, repeated measures analyses of variance using SPSS software. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited significant improvements in clinical parameters and reduced P.g load, with no significant difference between the spirulina and CHX groups. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that 4% spirulina gel, when delivered subgingivally can be considered a viable adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy, offering a natural and potentially cost-effective alternative to traditional antimicrobial agents.