Comparative Clinical Evaluation of GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling Oral Rinse with Ashwagandha and Neem versus Chlorhexidine Mouthwash and Placebo in the Management of Oral Health and Gingivitis
Randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical study (N=66; adults 18–60 years)
Objective
This randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of the GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling Oral Rinse with Chlorhexidine mouthwash and a placebo formulation in improving oral health and hygiene.
Process
A total of 66 adults aged 18–60 years diagnosed with mild-to-moderate gingivitis were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups of 22 each:
- Group 1 (Test Product): GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling Oral Rinse
- Group 2 (Comparator): Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
- Group 3 (Placebo): Placebo rinse
Clinical evaluations were conducted at baseline (Visit 1), Week 4 (Visit 3), and Week 8 (Visit 4). Parameters assessed included Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Plaque Index (PI), Tooth Shade (VITA Scale), Streptococcus mutans colony count, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial counts, and Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS).
Safety assessments included vital signs, hematology, biochemistry, oral examinations, and adverse event monitoring. Compliance and satisfaction questionnaires were recorded at the final visit. Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon and paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results
Both the GuruNanda® Oil Pulling and Chlorhexidine groups showed marked reductions in gingival and plaque indices, while placebo changes were minimal. The improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.001) versus placebo for both actives, but not significantly different between GuruNanda® Oil Pulling and Chlorhexidine.
Streptococcus mutans counts decreased significantly in both active groups, confirming comparable antibacterial efficacy. GuruNanda® Oil Pulling showed an increase in Gram-positive bacterial count (reflecting preservation of healthy flora), whereas Chlorhexidine caused a general reduction in both beneficial and harmful bacteria.
Tooth shade improved modestly in the GuruNanda® Oil Pulling group, while Chlorhexidine users showed slight shade darkening due to staining. No meaningful change was seen in placebo. Clinical Oral Dryness remained stable, with better mouthfeel reported in the GuruNanda® group. No adverse events or lab abnormalities were reported.
Table 1. Change in Gingival and Plaque Indices Across Visits
Modified Gingival Index
| Group | Baseline (Mean ± SD) | Week 4 (Mean ± SD) | Week 8 (Mean ± SD) | % Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling | 1.685 ± 0.3688 | 1.278 ± 0.1972 | 1.098 ± 0.1756 | 34.80% |
| Chlorhexidine Mouthwash | 1.748 ± 0.4105 | 1.345 ± 0.2085 | 1.087 ± 0.1558 | 37.80% |
| Placebo | 1.698 ± 0.3693 | 1.710 ± 0.3714 | 1.765 ± 0.3872 | −3.9% |
Plaque Index
| Group | Baseline (Mean ± SD) | Week 4 (Mean ± SD) | Week 8 (Mean ± SD) | % Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling | 2.276 ± 0.5049 | 1.747 ± 0.4620 | 1.443 ± 0.3928 | 36.60% |
| Chlorhexidine Mouthwash | 2.361 ± 0.5540 | 1.739 ± 0.4076 | 1.275 ± 0.2264 | 46.00% |
| Placebo | 2.295 ± 0.5024 | 2.289 ± 0.4903 | 2.337 ± 0.5269 | −1.8% |
Table 2. Summary of p-values for Gingival and Plaque Indices
| Parameter | Comparison | p-value (GuruNanda® vs Chlorhexidine) | p-value (GuruNanda® vs Placebo) | p-value (Chlorhexidine vs Placebo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modified Gingival Index | Screening → Visit 3 | 0.8972 | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
| Modified Gingival Index | Screening → Visit 4 | 0.3184 | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
| Modified Gingival Index | Visit 3 → Visit 4 | 0.0003 | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
| Plaque Index | Screening → Visit 3 | 0.152 | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
| Plaque Index | Screening → Visit 4 | 0.1241 | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
| Plaque Index | Visit 3 → Visit 4 | 0.1659 | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
Table 3. Microbial and Whitening Outcomes After 8 Weeks
| Parameter | GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling (G1) | Chlorhexidine (G2) | Placebo (G3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduction in S. mutans count | Significant (p < 0.001) | Significant (p < 0.001) | None |
| Change in Gram-positive flora | Increased (restorative) | Decreased | No change |
| Change in Gram-negative flora | Reduced (p < 0.001) | Reduced (p < 0.001) | No change |
| Tooth Shade (% subjects) | Improved (35%), Maintained (65%) | Worsen (50%) | No change |
| Dryness Score (CODS) | No change; pleasant mouthfeel | No change; slight dryness | No change |
Figures
Observation
The GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling Oral Rinse provided comparable clinical benefits to Chlorhexidine in reducing gingivitis and plaque while showing additional advantages of preserving beneficial microflora. Participants reported better taste, reduced dryness, and enhanced freshness perception compared to the comparator. The placebo group showed no significant change across parameters. All hematological and biochemical laboratory parameters remained within normal limits across study visits, with no significant changes from baseline in any group, indicating that the GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling Oral Rinse was safe and well tolerated.
Conclusion
GuruNanda® Natural Oil Pulling Oral Rinse with Ashwagandha and Neem is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated natural oral care alternative to Chlorhexidine mouthwash. It provides comparable improvements in gingival and plaque indices and exhibits antimicrobial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans and Gram-negative bacteria while maintaining favorable oral microflora balance. Its natural formulation avoids staining and dryness commonly associated with chemical antiseptics, supporting its use in long-term oral hygiene maintenance.