Work

Effect of curcumin compared to chlorhexidine on clinical variables of periodontal health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Year: 2026

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is effective in managing periodontal diseases but has side effects. Curcumin is a natural alternative with anti-inflammatory properties. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of curcumin and chlorhexidine on clinical variables in periodontal diseases. METHODS: This study included only randomized controlled trials. The primary outcomes were differences in mean plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI); the secondary outcomes were differences in probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), and bleeding index (BI). Data were analyzed by Stata software. RESULTS: Twenty-six randomized controlled trials comprising 1266 subjects were included. Twenty-four studies had a high risk of bias, and 2 studies had some concerns. The pooled data revealed comparable efficacy of curcumin and chlorhexidine in reducing PI (I2 = 83.3%; standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.041, 95% confidence interval [CI, -0.245-0.163], P = .692), GI (I2 = 87.8%; SMD: 0.033, 95% CI [-0.216-0.281], P = .797), and BI (I2 = 77.7%; SMD: -0.044, 95% CI [-0.208-0.295], P = .735). However, the efficacy of chlorhexidine was found to be superior to curcumin in reducing PD (I2 = 93.7%; SMD: 0.883, 95% CI [0.419-1.347], P < .001) and AL (I2 = 90.1%; SMD: 0.539, 95% CI [0.019-1.058], P = .042). As for the subgroup analyses of follow-up term, there was a nonsignificant difference between curcumin and chlorhexidine in PI, GI, and BI. As for PD and AL, the subgroup analyses of follow-up term showed different results from the overall pooled analysis: the short term (≤ 1 month) showed the superior efficacy of chlorhexidine over curcumin; however, the long term (> 1 month) showed similar efficacy. CONCLUSION: Curcumin could be an alternative to chlorhexidine and adjunctively used in reducing clinical variables of periodontal diseases, especially with regard to plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.

Source: Medicine

DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000049862

Authors: Linxin Jiang, Simin Li, Daniel R. Reissmann, Gerhard Schmalz, Xianda Hu

Institutions: Leipzig University, Southern Medical University, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, China Tibetology Research Center

Language: English

Topic: Oral microbiology and periodontitis research

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,950