OBJECTIVES Essential oils and other plant extracts have evoked interest as sources of natural medicinal products. They have been proven to exert antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties, but the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. AIM This study aims to evaluate the potential of a sage-containing mouthwash to alleviate inflammatory signs of intra-oral mucosa and gingiva in comparison with a water/alcohol-based placebo. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was conducted as a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel design clinical study. Forty-eight dentate subjects were randomly assigned to a test (sage-containing mouthwash) or a placebo group (water/alcohol-based solution). Subjects rinsed once daily for 30 s over a period of 6 weeks. Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), Plaque Index (PLI), tooth staining, xerostomia and degree of stomatitis were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. RESULTS Subjects' mean age was 77.5 ± 7.3 years. SBI was reduced from 1.3 ± 0.9 to 0.8 ± 0.7 (test, p = 0.0029) and 1.4 ± 0.9 to 1.1 ± 0.7 (placebo, p = 0.0105). Similarly, PLI was reduced from 1.2 ± 0.5 to 1.0 ± 0.3 (test, p = 0.0080) and 1.3 ± 0.4 to 1.1 ± 0.6 (placebo, p = 0.0087); no between-group differences were found (p > 0.05). Stomatitis, xerostomia and tooth staining revealed no change after 6 weeks. CONCLUSION The irrigation with a sage-containing mouthwash did not result in a superior beneficial effect on inflammatory parameters and plaque indices compared with the placebo. The expected contribution of the plant extracts to their potential impact on oral health may need further investigation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The proposed mouthwash might be suitable for patients with inflammatory signs of the gingiva who prefer natural remedies.

中文翻译：

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支持牙周治疗的老年受试者中含精油漱口水的抗炎潜力：一项为期6周的随机对照临床试验。

目标香精油和其他植物提取物已引起人们对天然药物产品的兴趣。它们已被证明具有抗菌，抗真菌，抗病毒和抗氧化的特性，但其作用机理尚未完全阐明。目的该研究旨在评估含鼠尾草漱口水与基于水/酒精的安慰剂相比缓解口腔内粘膜和齿龈炎性迹象的潜力。材料与方法本研究是作为一项随机，安慰剂对照，双盲，平行设计的临床研究进行的。随机将四十八名齿状对象分配到一个测试（含鼠尾草漱口水）或安慰剂组（水/酒精基溶液）中。受试者在6周内每天冲洗一次，持续30 s。沟出血指数（SBI），牙菌斑指数（PLI），牙齿染色，在基线和6周后评估口干症和口腔炎程度。结果受试者的平均年龄为77.5±7.3岁。SBI从1.3±0.9降至0.8±0.7（测试，p = 0.0029）和1.4±0.9至1.1±0.7（安慰剂，p = 0.0105）。同样，PLI从1.2±0.5降至1.0±0.3（测试，p = 0.0080）和1.3±0.4至1.1±0.6（安慰剂，p = 0.0087）；没有发现组间差异（p> 0.05）。口腔炎，口腔干燥和牙齿染色显示6周后无变化。结论与安慰剂相比，含鼠尾草漱口水的冲洗对炎症参数和菌斑指数没有产生更好的有益效果。植物提取物对口腔健康的潜在影响的预期贡献可能需要进一步调查。