Anti-microbial efficacy and mode of action studies on a new zinc/ Triclosan formulation.
OBJECTIVE
To test in vitro the anti-plaque/ antimicrobial efficacy of a new toothpaste formulation containing a 2% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan anti-microbial system compared with a 0.75% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan system and where appropriate, against controls of a standard fluoride paste and a 0.3% Triclosan/ 2% copolymer product.


METHODS
The anti-metabolic activity was assessed using a range of assays measuring the ability of the active systems to inhibit bacterial glycolysis. The antibacterial/ anti-plaque activity was assessed in an in vitro multispecies biofilm assay.


RESULTS
Both zinc formulations were shown to have significantly superior activity at inhibiting glycolysis compared with the 0.3% Triclosan/ 2% copolymer formulation and the standard fluoride paste, particularly in reducing the pH drop after sugar challenge, the new formulation having the greatest activity. Likewise, in the antibacterial assay, both zinc formulations were found to have significantly superior activity over a standard fluoride paste and the 2% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan formulation was shown to be significantly better than 0.75% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan formulation.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide support for the enhanced performance of the 2% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan formulation.
Brading
M G
MG
Unilever Oral Care, Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral, UK. Melanie.Brading@Unilever.com
Cromwell
V J
VJ
Jones
N M
NM
Baldeck
J D
JD
Marquis
R E
RE
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D019343:Citric Acid; D014260:Triclosan; D013395:Sucrose; D015032:Zinc; D005459:Fluorides