Effect of neem extract on periodontal status & ast levels in chronic periodontitis : A clinical & biochemical study

The present clinical study was conducted to assess the effect of neem extract on periodontal status & estimation of AST levels before and after scaling and root planing. 20 patients were selected in the age group of 30-55 years with chronic generalized periodontitis having pocket probing depth e" 5 mm.The split mouth design in which test sites were treated with scaling and root planing along with subgingival irrigation of neem extract as a local application on the 0 day, 7th day and 14th day while the control sites were treated with scaling and root planing alone. The clinical parameters of the selected patients were undertaken for both sites at 0 day, 15th day, 30th day and estimation of aspartate transaminase level was done at baseline & 30th day. This clinical study observed significant improvement in periodontal status in both the sites. Test sites showed significant improvement in gingival scores, reduction in pocket depth, gain in clinical attachment level, and reduction in aspartate transaminase level when compared to control sites. This Suggests that neem extract is beneficial in improving periodontal status & reducing the AST levels in chronic periodontitis as compared to scaling and root planing alone.