Abstract

The antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from Solanum melongena L. fruit (egg plant) and from its peduncles were investigated in vitro using electrolysis as a free radical generating system. The peduncles extracts have been then given to twenty volunteer patients with periodontal diseases as a mouthwash solution for 3 months duration, against a placebo, in a double blind fashion. Saliva was collected before and after the mouthwash using a Salivette tube. The antioxidant activity of saliva was determined in vitro using the electrolysis system. In addition, total antioxidant activity as well as glutathione levels of the saliva were evaluated before and after the mouthwash in comparison with 10 healthy individuals. The results indicated that water extracts from the peduncles of S. melongenapossessed a higher capacity to scavenge free radicals than the fruit itself. They as well increased the total antioxidant activity and glutathione levels of saliva in patients with periodontal diseases, while it was not effective with the placebo. The extracts were also clinically effective, they ameliorated significantly pocket depth, and the bleeding index. We concluded that water extracts from peduncles of S. melongena used frequently as mouth wash may have beneficial effect against periodontal diseases.

Key words: Periodontal diseases, Solanum melongena extracts, free radicals, antioxidant activity.