Elgydium Clinical Study 1

Authors: C Roques, P Jomard, J Luc, M Ducani-Federlin

Publication: Medecine Buccale ­ Chirurgie Buccale; 1998, Vol 4 No 2, 77-84

Title: Bactericidal activity of three toothpastes on bacterial species implicated in gingivitis

Abstract:

The bactericidal activity of three toothpastes against the main bacterial species implicated in gingivitis was evaluated as recommended in the monograph on “Antiseptics” in the French Pharmacopoeia.  Two of the pastes contain chlorhexidine digluconate, in a concentration of 0.004% and 0.12% respectively.  The active components in the third paste were enoxolone and formaldehyde.  The reference strains tested included Actinomyces viscosus CIP 103147T, Actinomyces naeslundii CIP 100654, Fusobacterium nucleatum CIP 101130T, Prevotella intermedia CIP 103607T, Veillonella sp AIP 4468, and Capnocytophaga ochracea intermedia CIP 82101.  Various dilutions (>1:2) were studied, with contact times of 1 min and 3 min.  Contact termination was validated by dilution-neutralisation.  Counts of residual viable bacteria after contact termination were used to calculate logarithmic reductions in the initial inoculum at each time-point and for each dilution.  The toothpaste containing enoxolone and formaldehyde was found to have a heterogeneous spectrum with limited activity on the gram-positive bacteria tested (Actinomyces sp).  With the two chlorhexidine digluconate toothpastes, the most striking finding was weak or absent bactericidal activity of the 1.12% toothpaste on Capnocytophaga ochracea CIP 82101 and the Actinmyces strains; in addition, activity against all strains tested was markedly influenced by the dilution factor.  These findings indicate “neutralisation” of the expected effect of chlorhexidine digluconate in a concentration of 0.12%.  In contrast, the toothpaste containing 0.004% of chlorhexidine digluconate was found to have a broad spectrum encompassing all tested strains, and its bactericidal effect persisted even after 1:32 dilution.  Thus, the formulation of the 0.004% toothpaste may be optimal and capable of producing rapid reductions in all the main organisms responsible for gingivitis.