The effectiveness of propolis on gingivitis: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a propolis rinse on induced gingivitis by using the co-twin study design.


METHODS
Twenty-one twin pairs (n=42) were enrolled in a gingivitis study with oral hygiene promotion (14 days) and gingivitis induction (21 days). During the gingivitis induction phase, one member of the twin pair was randomly assigned to a 2% typified propolis rinse, and the other was assigned a color-matched 0.05% sodium fluoride plus 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride rinse (positive control). Patients rinsed twice daily with 20 mL for 30 seconds for 21 days. Gingivitis was measured on days -14 (baseline), 0 (after hygiene phase), and 21 (after no-hygiene phase) by using the Papillary Bleeding Score (PBS) and by standard digital imaging of the gum tissues (G-parameter).


RESULTS
The 38 persons who completed the study (age 13-22 years) were well balanced according to PBS at baseline and G-parameter after the initial hygiene phase. After 21 days without oral hygiene, the propolis rinse and positive control rinse groups did not differ significantly for average PBS measurements or G-parameter.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a 2% typified propolis rinse was equivalent to a positive control rinse during a 21-day no-hygiene period.
1 Department of Cariology & Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry , New York, NY.
Walter A
WA
Bretz
Niraldo
N
Paulino
Jacques E
JE
Nör
Alexandre
A
Moreira
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056705:Apitherapy; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes; D011429:Propolis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D011429:Propolis; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; D005459:Fluorides