Efficacy of aged garlic extract on periodontal pockets: An 18-month dose response study

The present 18-month study assessed the long-term effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on deep periodontal pockets in generally healthy adults with moderate-to-severe periodontal pockets. The present study was a randomized, controlled, examiner-blind trial, involving four parallel treatment groups, including three AGE dosage groups and a placebo (control) group, with 300 participants in total. Study participants were instructed to use the AGE products at home throughout the study, following both written and verbal guidelines provided at the start. Periodontal assess-ments, including periodontal measurements, were performed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 18 months. After 18 months, a significant reduction in pocket depth was observed in the AGE groups compared with that of the placebo group, indi-cating a dose-response trend. In a multiple linear regression analysis, the baseline pocket depth, smoking status and the amount of AGE consumed on a daily basis were all demon-strated to be predictors of pocket depth. The results of the present study indicate that AGE is effective in improving oral health and further emphasize the potential role of AGE in promoting overall health due to the link between periodon-titis and systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis.