Comparison of the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of mouthwashes containing different active ingredients on human gingival fibroblasts and their antimicrobial efficacy

The use of biocompatible materials on oral tissues is important for maintaining tissue health. Therefore, this study compared, in vitro, the antimicrobial effects of seven different mouthwashes (BenriDent, Listerine Total Care, Splat White Plus, Dkdent, Klorhex, Oral-B, Colgate Plax) containing various active ingredients, as well as their apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblast (hGF) cells and DNA damage. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated using 2,3-Bis(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2 H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide (XTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Annexin V assay was applied to detect apoptotic effects. Levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine were analyzed to determine DNA damage. Antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans , Candida albicans , Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans , and Streptococcus salivarius was assessed using the broth microdilution method, and minimum inhibitory concentration values were determined. For the XTT assay, cells were analyzed at five concentrations (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and four incubation periods (1 min, 30 min, 2 h, 24 h). Mouthwashes demonstrated significant differences in terms of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and DNA damage. The highest cell viability rate was recorded for BenriDent, and the lowest for Splat White Plus. Splat White Plus demonstrated the highest antimicrobial effect against Streptococcus mutans , while Colgate Plax and Oral-B showed the highest effects against Candida albicans . BenriDent, Splat White Plus, and Colgate Plax mouthwashes showed the highest effects against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans . All mouthwashes demonstrated similar efficacy against Streptococcus salivarius. It was demonstrated that the mouthwashes caused varying levels of antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects, as well as DNA damage, except against Streptococcus salivarius .