Antimicrobial effect of lemongrass oil against oral malodour micro‐organisms and the pilot study of safety and efficacy of lemongrass mouthrinse on oral malodour

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology Vol. 118; no. 1; pp. 11 - 17
• Main Authors: Satthanakul, P, Taweechaisupapong, S, Paphangkorakit, J, Pesee, M, Timabut, P, Khunkitti, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Published for the Society for Applied Bacteriology by Blackwell Science 01.01.2015; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans; Adult; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans - drug effects; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; anti-infective properties; antimicrobial activity; Antimicrobial agents; bacteria; biofilm; Cymbopogon; Double-Blind Method; Female; gingivitis; halitosis; Halitosis - drug therapy; Halitosis - microbiology; Humans; lemongrass; Male; Microbiology; Microorganisms; minimum inhibitory concentration; mouthrinse; Mouthwashes - adverse effects; Mouthwashes - pharmacology; Mouthwashes - therapeutic use; Odors; odourigenic micro‐organisms; off odors; oils; Oral hygiene; oral malodour; Pilot Projects; Plant Oils - adverse effects; Plant Oils - chemistry; Plant Oils - pharmacology; Plant Oils - therapeutic use; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Porphyromonas gingivalis - drug effects; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus mutans - drug effects; sulfur; taste; Terpenes - adverse effects; Terpenes - chemistry; Terpenes - pharmacology; Terpenes - therapeutic use; volunteers; Young Adult; oral malodour; antimicrobial activity; odourigenic micro-organisms; lemongrass; mouthrinse
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1111/jam.12667

AIMS: Lemongrass oil (LG) has been reported as being effective against bacteria embedded within the biofilm. The aims of this study were to investigate antimicrobial activity against common odourigenic micro‐organisms, the safety and efficacy of LG mouthrinse on oral malodour in healthy volunteers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antimicrobial activity of LG mouthrinse was examined against common odourigenic micro‐organisms using broth microdilution assay and the disc diffusion method. A randomised double‐blind clinical study was performed in 20 healthy volunteers. Volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) level was measured using a Halimeter on day 0 and day 8 in each volunteer. The results showed that LG mouthrinse was effective against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC43718 and Porphyromonas gingivalis W50 but less effective against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. In addition, the mouthrinse significantly reduced VSCs on day 8. CONCLUSIONS: LG mouthrinse was able to reduce oral malodour and appeared to be safe. The overall satisfaction of the mouthrinse was acceptable. However, the spiciness and taste of the mouthrinse need to be improved. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrated that the LG mouthrinse significantly reduced oral malodour. This mouthrinse would be another alternative mouthrinse choice for prevention of malodour, plaque and gingivitis.