Antibacterial efficacy and cytotoxicity of three endodontic drugs

Abstract

The antibacterial efficacy and cytotoxicity of three endodontic drugs were studied in vitro. Formocresol, camphorated parachlorophenol, and Cresatin were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and two enterococci in order to determine whether clinical doses of the drugs are effective inhibitors of bacterial growth. Formocresol was the most effective antibacterial drug and was the only effective drug when not in contact with the bacterial lawn. Camphorated parachlorophenol was an effective antibacterial drug only when in contact with the bacteria. Cresatin was not an effective antibacterial drug in this study. The cytotoxicity of the drugs was measured in a mammalian cell culture system. Clinical doses of formocresol, if confined to the pulp chamber of the tooth, were relatively nontoxic to either BHK-21/4 or diploid human embryonic lung cells. Camphorated parachlorophenol and Cresatin, when sealed in the root canal and pulp chamber of the tooth, were not toxic to either cell line.