Evaluation of Toothpaste Containing Aqueous Saffron Extract on Gingival Indices in Patients with Marginal Generalized Plaque Induced Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease involving gums. Saffron contains various forms of flavonoids, glycosides and anthocyanin compounds that are proved to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effects of Saffron on gingival indices in patients with marginal generalized plaque induced gingivitis. For this study, we used toothpastes containing aqueous extract of Saffron flower. 22 patients with generalized marginal gingivitis were chosen. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of test and placebo each group, pocket depth index (PD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and bleeding of probing index (BOP) were measured before and one month after use. Independent t test, Mann–Whitney test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis (P<0.05). The comparison between gingival indices before and one month after tooth paste use showed significant decrease in all measured indices at the end of study (P<0.01). Saffron treated group had a significant difference in reducting GI and BOP indices in comparison with placebo group (P<0.05). However, for PD and PI indices in the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In this study, it was found that using aqueous extract of Saffron flower containing toothpastes may have a positive effect in some gingival indices in patients with gingivitis.