In Vitro Evaluation and Comparison of the Effect of Two Commercially Available Mouthwashes on Fibroblast Survival and Migration

Abstract

Background Commercially available Chlorhexidine CHX and Essential Oil EO mouthwashes are the most routine aids of oral hygiene after periodontal surgery with their active components having bactericidal properties. However these agents could be toxic to the host cells including fibroblasts.Methodology Fibroblasts were treated with different concentrations of CHX and EO mouthwashes and cell viability was assessed using MTT 3-45-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-25-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Following this two concentrations of both the mouthwashes that showed less reduction in viability of cells i.e. 25 and 6.25 were selected and the cell migration was assessed using cell migration assay.Results As the concentrations of both mouthwashes increased fibroblast cell viability decreased in both the test groups. No statistical significant difference was seen for the values between all three groups P gt0.05 when cell survival was compared. Results from the cell migration assay showed the highest effect on cell migration in the CHX-treated group with both concentrations. When the cell migration between all three groups was compared there was a statistically highly significant difference seen for the values between the groups P lt0.01 with highest values in CHX treated group and least in the control group.Conclusion Both mouthwashes showed toxic effects on fibroblast viability with no significant difference. However when migration capacity was assessed EO showed a significantly lesser toxic effect compared to CHX. Hence EO can be considered a comparatively safe alternative to CHX.