title: Clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available dentifrice containing aloe vera: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Certain plants used in folk medicine serve as a source of therapeutic agents that have antimicrobial and other multipotential effects. This prospective, randomized, placebo, and positively controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the clinical and microbiologic effects of a commercially available dentifrice containing aloe vera on the reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety patients diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into three groups: group 1, placebo toothpaste; group 2, toothpaste containing aloe vera; and group 3, toothpaste with polymer and fluoride containing triclosan. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using a gingival index, plaque was assessed using a modification of the Quigley-Hein index, and microbiologic counts were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. A subjective evaluation was also undertaken by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Toothpaste containing aloe vera showed significant improvement in gingival and plaque index scores as well as microbiologic counts compared with placebo dentifrice. These improvements were comparable to those achieved with toothpaste containing triclosan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Toothpaste containing aloe vera may be a useful herbal formulation for chemical plaque control agents and improvement in plaque and gingival status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Fort, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. periodontics_gdc@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pradeep
authors.forename: Esha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Savitha B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000187:drug effects; D016924:Actinomyces viscosus / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D000504:Aloe; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011446:Prospective Studies; D034367:Streptococcus intermedius / Q000187:drug effects; D034361:Streptococcus mitis / Q000187:drug effects; D019533:Streptococcus oralis / Q000187:drug effects; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000187:drug effects; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014260:Triclosan; D005459:Fluorides