Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Promotes the Mucin Retention of Herbal Extracts Active against Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans is considered a major cariogenic bacterium. Most anti-cariogenic dentifrices are limited by a short exposure time. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that adding a mucoadhesive agent to the formulation may increase its bioavailability and efficacy. We tested the effect of adding hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) to an herbal extract solution containing lavender, echinacea, sage, and mastic gum, which have been previously shown to be effective against Streptococcus mutans. Mucin-coated wells were treated with four test solutions: saline, herbal extracts, herbal extracts with HEC, and chlorhexidine. The wells were incubated with Streptococcus mutans and studied for biofilm formation (Crystal violet assay), acid production (lactate assay), acid tolerance (ATPase assay), and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production using fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that the addition of HEC to the herbal extract solution caused a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, lactic acid production, and EPS quantity (p < 0.001). These results suggest that HEC may be a beneficial added excipient to herbal extracts in an anti-cariogenic formulation.

Effect of Sublethal Blue Light on Herbal Extract Activity Against Volatile Sulfide Compound Production by Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Previously, we have shown that sublethal exposure of blue light caused increased cell membrane permeability in Fusobacterium nucleatum. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of this exposure on the activity of Lavender, Sage, Echinacea and Mastic gum extracts against volatile sulfide compound (VSC) production by Fusobacterium nucleatum. Bacterial suspensions were pre-exposed to blue light (400-500 nm) bellow minimal inhibitory dosage (sub-MID). Exposed and nonexposed samples were inoculated into test tubes containing growth medium, filtered saliva with or without herbal extracts. Following incubation, test tubes were tested for malodor production (odor judge scores), VSC levels (OralChroma), salivary protein degradation (SDS-PAGE) and bacterial cell membrane damage (fluorescence microscopy). Results showed that sub-MID blue light exposure significantly increased the ability of Lavender and Echinacea to reduce VSC production by Fusobacterium nucleatum by more than 30%. These results suggest that sublethal blue light exposure may be useful to increase the efficacy of antimalodor agents.

The effect of a mild increase in temperature on tooth bleaching.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of temperature on external tooth bleaching. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Human molars and premolars were internally stained and assessed using a standardized tea solution. The mesial aspects of the teeth were assigned to the treatment group (bleaching at 45 degrees C), and the distal aspects of the teeth were assigned to the control group (bleaching at 37 degrees C). An electronic chromometer with a tristimulus color analyzer was used to measure color change. The mean changes in the values of L*, a*, and b* from baseline to posttreatment were recorded, as were the overall color differences of the specimens in each group (DeltaE*). RESULTS: Increasing the temperature to 45 degrees C significantly (P < .05) increased the bleaching efficacy and reduced the time needed to gain a lighter tooth shade. CONCLUSION: A controlled increase in the temperature of the bleaching agent might be useful in achieving better tooth bleaching in a shorter period of time.

Oral malodor reduction by a palatal mucoadhesive tablet containing herbal formulation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to test the effect of a palatal mucoadhesive tablet containing an herbal formulation on oral malodor production and volatile sulfide compound (VSC) levels, and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity. METHODS: A total of 56 healthy young volunteers participated in experiments 1 and 2. The palatal adhesive tablets were prepared with different active ingredients (herbal formulation, zinc and chlorhexidine), or without an active ingredient as control (placebo). Measurement included odor judge scores (two judges) and VSC readings by a sulfide monitor (Halimeter). In experiment 3, the antimicrobial activity of the herbal formulation ingredients (i.e. sage, Echinacea, Lavender and Mastic gum) were tested against three oral pathogens (Streptoccocus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Candida albicans) by the agar diffusion test. RESULTS: Application of the palatal adhesive tablets containing herbal formulation resulted in a significant reduction in both oral malodor scores (p<0.001) and VSC levels (p=0.013). Herbal formulation showed higher significance in VSC reduction (p=0.001), as compared to zinc and chlorhexidine (p=0.024 and 0.032, respectively). Sage, Lavender and Mastic gum showed antimicrobial activity against all three oral pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest that the palatal adhesive tablets containing herbal formulation may serve as an effective means of treatment for patients complaining of oral malodor.

Effect of various natural medicinals on salivary protein putrefaction and malodor production.

OBJECTIVE: Salivary incubation assays are commonly used in oral malodor studies. Using an in vitro model system, the effect of various natural medicinals (i.e., echinacea, propolis, elder, mastic gum, marigold, sage, lavender, thyme, and chamomile) on salivary protein putrefaction and malodor production was examined. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Malodor production levels were scored by an experienced odor judge. Volatile sulfide levels were measured using a sulfide monitor (Halimeter), and salivary protein degradation was determined densitometrically following electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE). Microbial population was evaluated by viable counts and microscopy. RESULTS: Whereas all of the various medicinals caused some reduction in malodor production from the incubated whole saliva, echinacea and lavender were the most effective. CONCLUSION: The bioassay utilized in the present study suggests that these herbs may inhibit oral malodor production.

Antimicrobial effect of mastic gum methanolic extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The antimicrobial effect of mastic gum, an ancient remedy for oral malodor, against Porphyromonas gingivalis, a known odorogenic periopathogenic oral bacterium, was tested using the agar diffusion test. Paper discs impregnated with mastic gum methanolic extract (MME) [0.5-4% (wt/vol)] produced inhibition zones of 10.5-13.7 mm, respectively, without showing signs of hemolysis, whereas chlorhexidine (0.2%)-impregnated discs, which showed greater inhibition (33.5 mm), also produced large and distinctive hemolytic zones (17 mm). Further analysis of the antimicrobial traits of MME revealed a logarithmic ratio between inhibition zone diameter and MME concentration (r = .99), indicating limited water solubility of this material. These results suggest that mastic gum may be used as a potential nontoxic local agent in treating oral malodor and gum disease.