title: The antiplaque efficacy of pomegranate mouthrinse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the effect of a pomegranate-containing mouthrinse on plaque, determine whether it has any adverse effects, and evaluate its antibacterial properties against selected periodontopathogens in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  thirty periodontally healthy volunteers, randomly divided into three groups, refrained from all mechanical oral hygiene measures for 4 days and used one of the randomly assigned mouthrinses (A, pomegranate; B, chlorhexidine; or C, distilled water [placebo]) twice daily. The Plaque Index (PI) was assessed at days 0 and 5. Adverse effects were also evaluated. Pomegranate extract was tested against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), and Prevotella intermedia (P.i.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  in all groups, the PI significantly increased from the baseline to day 5 (P < .1). The pomegranate mouthrinse created no adverse effects. There was a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between the chlorhexidine and placebo rinse and the pomegranate and placebo rinse, but no statistically significant difference was found between the chlorhexidine and pomegranate rinse with respect to the PI. Pomegranate extract showed inhibition of all three strains of periodontopathogens at various concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  these results indicate that the pomegranate mouthrinse has an antiplaque effect. Pomegranate extract is efficacious against A.a., P.g., and P.i. strains in vitro. Pomegranate mouthrinse should be explored as a long-term antiplaque rinse with prophylactic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Implantology, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dhawad, Karnataka, India. smrutibhade@gmail.com
authors.forename: Smruti J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bhadbhade
authors.forename: Anirudh B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Silvia V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Srinath L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Thakur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002710:Chlorhexidine