Effect of Lemongrass Essential Oil based Mouthwash against Microflora Associated with Dental Plaque

Sonia Ambade,Neelima Deshpande,Pragati Abhyankar

doi:10.22207/jpam.16.1.06

Abstract

Mouthwash is one of the most convenient and effective method employed for dental plaque management. The aim of the undertaken study was to establish the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) based mouthwash on microbial flora from dental plaque and also check cytotoxicity of mouthwash formulation. Five main colonizers of dental plaque representing dental microflora and three different bacterial species mainly responsible for the formation of biofilm were selected in this study. LGEO based mouthwash was developed and its stability was also determined. The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of LGEO based mouthwash has been evaluated against the representative dental microflora as per CLSI guidelines. Cytotoxicity of mouthwash was checked by globally used MTT assay employing NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line. The mouthwash has been found to exhibit the stability in its major component, citral and also found exhibit antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against dental microflora. No cytotoxic effect was observed on mouse fibroblast cell line. LGEO in formulated mouthwash being a natural, herbal material isolated from traditional medicinal plants appears as a good and effective substitute to control the microflora linked with dental plaque.

Highlights

Oral micro-organisms have a major function in biofilm formation which would lead to the development of dental caries, and controlling its activities can definitely prevent dental caries
lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) in formulated mouthwash being a natural, herbal material isolated from traditional medicinal plants appears as a good and effective substitute to control the microflora linked with dental plaque
The stability of formulated mouthwash was evaluated by monitoring the stability of the principal/major component of LGEO that is citral

Summary

Introduction

Oral micro-organisms have a major function in biofilm formation which would lead to the development of dental caries, and controlling its activities can definitely prevent dental caries. Dental plaque is one of the etiologic factors in gingival and periodontal disease. Cleaning of dental plaque is one of the prime factors in the prevention of caries, periodontitis and gingivitis. Both of these conditions are plaque associated and removal of dental plaque routinely should inhibit their occurrence as well as progression.[1] Periodontal disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is one of the most common oral diseases. The major etiologic bacteria of gingivitis are Actinomyces, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Veillonella and Treponema species. The principal microorganisms associated are mostly an anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria such as Porphromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Aggreatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Tannerella forsythia.[2]

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