CLINICAL EFFECT OF LOCAL ALOE VERA USE AS AN ADJUNCT TO PERIODONTAL THERAPY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Objectives Aloe Vera might be beneficial to improve periodontal condition. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate Aloe Vera's clinical efficacy as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) for nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Methods We included relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effectiveness of Aloe Vera (I) with a (placebo) control (C) on periodontal parameters (O) in in adults with periodontitis (P) (registration number: CRD42022336946). PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Mean difference (MD) with standard deviations of clinical outcomes were extracted and pooled from three studies. Results Three studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Adjunctive Aloe Vera treatment reduced probing pocket depth (PPD), with MD = -0.47 (-0.78/-0.16) at 3 months, MD = -0.29 (-0.53/-0.06) at 6 months, and MD: -1.06 (-2.04/-0.08) at 12 months, compared to the control group. Overall differences for clinical attachment level (CAL) were found to be-0.56 (-0.85/-0.27) at 6 months and-0.98 (-1.28/-0.68) at 12 months, which indicated a statistically significant result favoring the test group over the control group. No significant differences were observed in reducing plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) at 6 months and CAL at 3 months in the local administration of Aloe Vera to SRP. Adjunctive Aloe Vera treatment reduced BI (MD: -0.40; -0.62/-0.18) at 12 months with respect to the control group. Conclusions In comparison to SRP alone/placebo, the supplementary use of Aloe Vera in SRP results in improved periodontal treatment outcomes. Limitations Limited by the quality and number of studies, the evidence was not reliable enough to support any clinical advice. Clinical significance The subgingival administration of Aloe Vera may be clinically efficacious for managing periodontal diseases.