title: Effect of a variety of Chinese herbs and an herb-containing dentifrice on volatile sulfur compounds associated with halitosis: An in vitro analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The principal components of halitosis are volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethylsulfide or compounds such as butyric acid, propionic acid, putrescine, and cadaverine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Chinese herbs on VSCs in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Saliva samples from volunteers were used as the source for the evaluation of bacterial activity and VSC inhibition. Extracted substances from Chinese herbs were identified by VSC inhibition tests with a Halimeter and microbial sensitivity testing. The effectiveness on halitosis was compared between a dentifrice containing one of the effective Chinese herbs (ie, chrysanthemum flower [Chrysanthemum morifolium flos]), 4 commercially available antihalitosis dentifrices, and a positive control that received no treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten volunteers provided saliva samples for VSC testing. Of the 40 herbs tested, 14 extracts had percent inhibition rates of VSCs >50%. Ten herbs showed greatest effect against all culturable microorganisms with bacterial inhibition >70%. There was a weak positive correlation between bacteriostasis and the anti-VSC activity of the herbs with a correlation coefficient of 0.2579 (Pearson). The mean (SD) values of the VSC testing were as follows: dentifrice containing chrysanthemum flower, 55.91 (8.16) ppb; Crest Tea Refreshing Dentifrice®, 48.39 (7.48) ppb (P = NS); Cortex Phellodendri Dentifrice®, 139.90 (14.70) ppb (P < 0.01); Colgate Total Plus Whitening®, 120.94 (15.58) ppb (P < 0.01); Zhong Hua Chinese Herbs Dentifrice®, 136.96 (13.06) ppb (P < 0.01); and positive control, 312.38 (28.58) ppb (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of 40 herbs tested, 14 Chinese herbs were found to be effective for VSC inhibition. A dentifrice containing chrysanthemum flower reduced the formation of VSC in vitro, showing a significantly greater effect than the control group and 3 of 4 dentifrices already on the market.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, 9th People's Hospital, Medical College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ming-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, 9th People's Hospital, Medical College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Shanghai 8th Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhu-Ting
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: Chinese herbs; dentifrice; halitosis; volatile sulfur compounds