Effect of Bletilla striata-Litsea cubeba Toothpaste on Clinical Indicators and Inflammatory Factor Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Patients with Biofilm-Induced Gingivitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective To preliminarily evaluate the clinical efficacy of Bletilla striata-Litsea cube-batoothpaste in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis and its impact on inflammatory factors in gingival crevicular fluid. Methods and Materials In a randomised clinical trial, 80 patients with plaque-induced gingivitis were randomly allocated to receive either Bletilla striata-Litsea cubeba toothpaste (experimental group) or negative control toothpaste (control group). Following a 2-week washout period, periodontal indices including the Turesky-modified Quigley–Hein Plaque Index (TmQHI) and Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), along with inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) quantified from gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples of the right mandibular first molars, were assessed at baseline (0 week), 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Statistical analyses employed repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for longitudinal comparisons and independent samples t-tests for inter-group comparisons at identical time points, with statistical significance defined as α = 0.05. Results The experimental group exhibited significant TmQHI and SBI reductions at 8 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05) versus delayed changes in controls. IL-1β decreased significantly at 8 and 12 weeks with lower levels than controls (p < 0.05); IL-6 declined earlier in the experimental group, while TNF-α reductions were comparable between groups. Conclusion Compared with control, the novel toothpaste achieved earlier and greater improvements in periodontal indices and specific inflammatory mediator levels in plaque-induced gingivitis.