In our recent clinical study, we compared the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous saffron extract to chlorhexidine in patients with generalized periodontitis.
Both groups showed significant improvement in periodontal indices. Interestingly, patients preferred the taste of saffron mouthwash, and no staining was observed on composite restorations or natural teeth—a common concern with chlorhexidine use.
Notably, in its best performance, saffron mouthwash achieved a therapeutic effect equivalent to chlorhexidine.
👉 This leads to a critical question: Does the higher cost and complexity of producing a saffron-based mouthwash justify its clinical use when therapeutic parity is achieved but not surpassed?
> 🔗 Read the full article here
I’d love to hear your thoughts and clinical experiences. Have you considered using herbal alternatives in periodontal practice?
https://jtim.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jtim/article/view/389
Link of article
Response:
Thank you for sharing this very interesting and promising comparative study.
The exploration of saffron (Crocus sativus) as a natural alternative to chlorhexidine is particularly relevant in today’s shift toward biocompatible and patient-friendly therapies in periodontology.
🌿 Clinical Significance: Your findings highlight a few clinically important points:
- Comparable anti-inflammatory efficacy to chlorhexidine
- Better patient acceptance due to taste
- No staining on restorations or enamel, which is a common limitation of long-term chlorhexidine use
These advantages are valuable, especially in long-term maintenance therapy where patient compliance and aesthetics matter significantly.
💰 On the Question of Cost and Feasibility: You raise an important point about the cost-effectiveness of saffron mouthwash. While the therapeutic effect may not exceed chlorhexidine, the absence of side effects (e.g., staining, taste alteration, mucosal irritation) can improve patient compliance and quality of life—factors that are often undervalued in clinical decision-making.
Additionally, for patients who cannot tolerate chlorhexidine due to hypersensitivity, mucosal reactions, or aesthetic concerns, saffron-based mouthwash could be a preferred adjunctive agent.
🔬 Future Perspectives: I would suggest that further research focus on:
- Long-term effects and microbiological impact of saffron extract
- Standardization and stabilization of active components in commercial formulations
- Cost-reduction strategies via optimized extraction and formulation processes
✅ Conclusion: Saffron-based mouthwash may not replace chlorhexidine universally, but it holds strong potential as a natural, biocompatible, and patient-friendly alternative, particularly in specific patient groups or for maintenance-phase therapy.
Thank you again for sharing this valuable work. I would be very interested in future trials with larger sample sizes and broader demographic coverage.
Kind regards, Dr. Sharipov Salim Salomovich PhD in Medical Sciences Tashkent Medical University
Email: [email protected]
Dear Professor Dr. Sharipov,
Warm greetings,
I would like to sincerely thank you for your thoughtful reading of the article and your insightful and clinically grounded reflections.
Your valuable observations, particularly regarding patient acceptance, side effect profiles, and future research directions enriched my own clinical perspective.
I hope we may have the opportunity for further scientific dialogue and exchange in the near future, should you be open to it.
Wishing you continued health and academic success,
Warm regards,
Dr. Fahimeh Rashidi Maybodi
Dear Dr. Fahimeh Rashidi Maybodi, Warm greetings from the Republic of Uzbekistan,
I would like to express my deep gratitude for your sincere letter and the thoughtful, professional reflections you shared on our research. Your recognition of the clinical aspects of our work is highly appreciated.
Your remarks regarding patient conditions and future research directions are of great importance to us, and I firmly believe that scientific dialogue with you would be both valuable and meaningful.
At present, we are actively seeking to establish international academic collaboration for the purpose of publishing articles in journals indexed by Scopus. In this regard, your expertise and scientific approach would be of great value to us.
If you are open to collaboration, we are ready to initiate communication regarding review contributions, article topics, joint development of textbooks or teaching materials, authorship involvement, and publication planning.
Additionally, your careful selection and application of natural products in a modern clinical context brings great joy and pride not only to us, but to the entire Muslim community. We truly rejoice with our hearts at your efforts, and we sincerely wish that you never experience fatigue in this noble pursuit.
I sincerely wish you good health and continued success in your academic and scientific endeavors. I look forward with great interest to the possibility of fruitful cooperation in the near future.
With respect,
Dr. Sharipov Salim Salomovich, PhD Associate Professor Department of Hospital Prosthodontics Tashkent Medical University 📧 Email: [email protected]
Hello Dr. Sharipov,
Thank you again for your thoughtful message. I’ve just sent a follow-up reply to the email address you kindly provided. I’d appreciate it if you could take a moment to check it at your convenience. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
Fahimeh Rashidi Maybodi
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