Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Punicalagin (Pomegranate Extract) on IL-1 Beta and Superoxide Dismutase Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: Pomegranates have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Punicalagin (Pomegranate extract) on IL-1β and SOD levels in chronic periodontitis patients.

Materials and Methods: 30 patients were included in the study. The sites were randomly divided into control site and test site. Control sites were treated with Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) alone and test sites were treated with punicalagin gel along with SRP. Clinical parameters such as probing pocket depth, Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Gingival Index (GI), Plaque index (PI), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) and biochemical markers such as IL-1β and Superoxide Dismutase levels were compared between baseline and at 21 days post therapy.

Results: Test sites showed significant differences when compared to control sites in relation to all clinical and biochemical parameters.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, there is an improvement in the clinical parameters with an increase in the anti-oxidant marker level and a decrease in inflammatory marker level when punicalagin gel was placed along with Scaling and Root Planing in patients with Chronic Periodontitis.