Xianling Gubao capsules improve oral health, alveolar bone defects, and bone density in patients with periodontitis

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Xianling Gubao Capsules (XGC) on alveolar bone and inflammatory mediators in the gingival crevicular fluid in patients with periodontitis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 90 periodontitis patients who received medication treatment at Daqing Longnan Hospital from September 2022 to June 2023. Patients were categorized into three groups: a control group (n=30, receiving basic periodontal treatment), a Caltrate group (n=30, receiving basic treatment plus Caltrate), and an XGC group (n=30, receiving basic treatment plus Xianling Gubao Capsules). Changes in alveolar bone defect height, alveolar bone density, plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), gingival index (GI), gingival crevicular fluid volume, and inflammatory mediator levels were compared before and after treatment. Results: After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the XGC group exhibited significantly reduced alveolar bone defect height in incisors, canines, premolars, and molars and significantly increased alveolar bone density compared with the other two groups (all P<0.05). The XGC group also exhibited lower tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and higher interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels than the Caltrate and control groups (all P<0.05). Additionally, PI, PD, GI, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were significantly lower in the XGC group at both time points (all P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Xianling Gubao Capsules, when combined with conventional periodontal treatment, may enhance alveolar bone density, reduce alveolar bone defects, alleviate periodontal inflammation, and modulate inflammatory mediator levels in the gingival crevicular fluid. These findings suggest clinical benefits for periodontitis management.