Effect of oxybenzone on PGE2-production in vitro and on plaque and gingivitis in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of oxybenzone on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in cell culture and to evaluate the effect of an oxybenzone-containing dentifrice on plaque and gingivitis in a 6-week clinical trial.


METHODS
Human embryo palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells were used for testing the inhibition of IL-1beta-stimulated PGE2-production in vitro by different concentrations of oxybenzone. For the in vivo study, a total of 66 individuals with a Quigley & Hein plaque index of at least 1.5 and an Ainamo & Bay gingival index of at least 0.2 were included in a double-blind clinical trial with two cells and a parallel design. Two compositions of fluoride dentifrice were used, one with the addition of 0.5% oxybenzone, and one without. Plaque and gingival index were obtained at three time points: (1) at baseline, (2) after 3 weeks, and (3) after 6 weeks.


RESULTS
A dose-dependent inhibition of PGE2-production was found in the HEPM cell culture following oxybenzone exposure. In the clinical trial, a 25% reduction of gingival index was observed in the oxybenzone group (p<0.001) after 6 weeks as compared with 2% for the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that PGE2-production is reduced by oxybenzone in vitro and that the use of oxybenzone in a dentifrice reduces gingivitis in vivo.
Jannesson
Lillemor
L
Department of Health Sciences, University of Kristianstad, Kristianstad, Sweden.
Birkhed
Dowen
D
Scherl
Dale
D
Gaffar
Abdul
A
Renvert
Stefan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010919:Placebos
D001577:Benzophenones; D003802:Dentifrices; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010919:Placebos; C005290:oxybenzone; D015232:Dinoprostone