EFFECTIVENESS of Lawsonia inermis L. LEAVES TO GINGIVITIS'S HEALING

The main etiological factor of gingivitis is bacterial plaque. Untreated gingivitis can spread to underlying tissues become periodontitis and produces tissue destruction. One of treatments for gingivitis is plaque removing, helping by antibacterial mouthrinsing to reduce bacterial plaque. Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna) leaves has been used by Indonesian villagers for healing skin wounds and reported to show antibacterial effect in vitro and in vivo. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of henna leaves infusion in gingivitis healing. Methods: 53 gingivitis patients were divided into 5 groups were instructed to rinse with 3 concentrations (50000 µg/mL, 10000 µg/mL, 5000 µg/mL) of henna leaves infusion; 0.1 % hexetidine solution, and placebo as control. Papilla Bleeding Index (PBI) used in measurement for bleeding on probing. Results: Decrease of PBI showed in henna leaves infusion at 10000 µg/mL concentration (80 %), stronger than hexetidine 0.1 % (76 %). Conclusions: Lawsonia inermis L. leaves infusion effective reduces PBI on concentrates 10000 µg/mL, better than 0.1 % hexetidine. It was concluded, that Lawsonia inermis L. leaves infusion effective to treat gingivitis, thus to be utilized as gargle to help gingivitis healing.