The role of hypochlorous acid as one of the reactive oxygen species in periodontal disease

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties, and seems to play an important role in the immune system. The regulation of normal flora contributes to periodontal health, and HOCl seems to have the ability to attack Gram-negative pathogens during periodontitis. Furthermore, high concentrations of HOCl promote healing by regulating cytokines and growth factors, killing pathogens through chlorination or oxidation, and modulating inflammation through the effects on nuclear factor κB and activator protein-1 of monocytes. After chlorination of taurine by HOCl, taurine chloramine is mostly an anti-inflammatory agent and enhances healing. Neither HOCl nor taurine chloramine are common in clinical applications owing to a lack of studies in animal and human models. Both compounds may be suitable as periodontal medication, as they are good antimicrobial agents, inflammation modulators, and healing promoters.