Clinical efficacy of curcumin versus chlorhexidine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#anti-infective-agents-local #chlorhexidine #chronic-periodontitis #curcumin #humans

Clinical efficacy of curcumin versus chlorhexidine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Zhang et al., 2021 | Phytother Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Zhang Yang, Huang Lei, ... Deng Dongmei. Clinical efficacy of curcumin versus chlorhexidine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2021-Nov;35(11):5980-5991. doi:10.1002/ptr.7208

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of curcumin versus chlorhexidine as adjuncts to scaling and root planing (SRP) for periodontitis treatment. We searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to February 18, 2021 and identified studies with relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using curcumin or chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP. Nine RCTs involving 420 patients/sites were included. A meta-analysis with a random-effects model revealed that curcumin and chlorhexidine, as an adjunct to SRP, reduced probing pocket depth (PPD) at similar levels during a 3-, 4-, 6-, and 12-week follow-up. No significant differences were observed in reducing clinical attachment loss (CAL) between curcumin and chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP at 4 weeks and 6 weeks. Furthermore, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were similar using curcumin versus chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP at the 4-week-, 6-week-, and 12-week follow-up. Based on the available evidence in RCTs, compared with chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP, curcumin has a similar effect on reducing PPD, CAL, GI, and PI. The quality of evidence is low, limited by the number of studies and their limitations. Further studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of curcumin.

Key Findings

Further studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of curcumin.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 420
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Chlorhexidine
  • Chronic Periodontitis
  • Curcumin
  • Humans
  • Root Planing
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: curcumin-cancer

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09