Oral malodor reduction by a palatal mucoadhesive tablet containing herbal formulation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to test the effect of a palatal mucoadhesive tablet containing an herbal formulation on oral malodor production and volatile sulfide compound (VSC) levels, and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity.


METHODS
A total of 56 healthy young volunteers participated in experiments 1 and 2. The palatal adhesive tablets were prepared with different active ingredients (herbal formulation, zinc and chlorhexidine), or without an active ingredient as control (placebo). Measurement included odor judge scores (two judges) and VSC readings by a sulfide monitor (Halimeter). In experiment 3, the antimicrobial activity of the herbal formulation ingredients (i.e. sage, Echinacea, Lavender and Mastic gum) were tested against three oral pathogens (Streptoccocus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Candida albicans) by the agar diffusion test.


RESULTS
Application of the palatal adhesive tablets containing herbal formulation resulted in a significant reduction in both oral malodor scores (p<0.001) and VSC levels (p=0.013). Herbal formulation showed higher significance in VSC reduction (p=0.001), as compared to zinc and chlorhexidine (p=0.024 and 0.032, respectively). Sage, Lavender and Mastic gum showed antimicrobial activity against all three oral pathogens.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the present study suggest that the palatal adhesive tablets containing herbal formulation may serve as an effective means of treatment for patients complaining of oral malodor.
Sterer
Nir
N
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. sterer@hadassah.org.il
Nuas
Shada
S
Mizrahi
Boaz
B
Goldenberg
Chen
C
Weiss
Ervin I
EI
Domb
Abraham
A
Davidi
Michael Perez
MP
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020900:Echinacea; D005260:Female; D005942:Gluconates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006209:Halitosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D010159:Palate; D008517:Phytotherapy; D027927:Pistacia; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027543:Salvia officinalis; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis; D013607:Tablets; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005942:Gluconates; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012116:Resins, Plant; D013440:Sulfides; D013607:Tablets; D015032:Zinc; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine; C030691:gluconic acid