Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of Carica papaya on periodontal disease in the adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library databases up to June 2021 using related keywords for randomized clinical trials that evaluated the effect of Carica papaya on gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and papilla bleeding index (PBI) in the intervention group compared to control group. RESULTS: A total of five eligible studies involving 206 participants were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. GI score significantly decreased in the intervention group at the end of the treatment compared to the baseline (ES = -0.64; 95% CI = -0.85--0.42; I(2) = 90.4%; P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients in the intervention group had significantly lower GI (weighted mean difference = -0.28; 95% CI = -0.45--0.10; I(2) = 98.2%; P < 0.001) and PI (weighted mean difference = -0.36; 95% CI = -0.59--0.14; I(2) = 99.3; P < 0.001) scores compared with control individuals. However, no significant difference observed between the two groups regarding PBI score. CONCLUSION: Despite study limitations, this systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted the effective role of oral care products containing Carica papaya for the treatment of periodontal diseases by improving indices like GI and PI.