Could licorice help fight gum disease? new study says maybe

NCT ID NCT07422883

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Mansoura University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a licorice extract gel could improve the results of deep cleaning for people with stage II periodontitis (moderate gum disease). Fifty patients were split into two groups: one got standard deep cleaning alone, and the other got deep cleaning plus licorice gel applied to the gum pockets twice a week for six weeks. The goal was to see if the gel reduced gum inflammation and lowered levels of a key inflammatory marker called interleukin-6.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: licorice extract gel (5% glycyrrhizin)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a natural, low-cost gel to improve gum health after standard deep cleaning.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 20 treated patients. The results may not apply to everyone, and licorice gel is not a replacement for professional dental care.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

periodontitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INTERLEUKIN-6

Contacts and locations

Locations

Mansoura university

Al Mansurah, Egypt

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