In vitro cytotoxic and non-genotoxic effects of gutta-percha solvents on mouse lymphoma cells by single cell gel (comet) assay

Abstract

Chloroform and eucalyptol are widely used in clinical dentistry as gutta-percha solvents. However, these compounds may represent a hazard to human health, especially by causing injury to genetic apparatus and/or inducing cellular death. In this study, the genotoxic and cytotoxic potentials associated with exposure to chloroform and eucalyptol were assessed on mouse lymphoma cells in vitro by the single cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue exclusion test, respectively. Both gutta-percha solvents proved to be cytotoxic at the same levels in concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 microL/mL (p<0.05). On the other hand, neither of the solvents induced DNA breakage. Taken together, these results suggest that although both tested compounds (chloroform and eucalyptol) are strong cytotoxicants, it seems that they are not likely to increase the level of DNA damage on mammalian cells.

Listerine® Products: An Update on the Efficacy and Safety

“…Similarly, the IC 50 values for cytotoxicity of menthol (11.8 μM (Kijpornyongpan et al ., )) and methyl salicylate (1.7 mM (NTP, National Toxicology Programme, )) are lower than the concentrations found in Listerine® (menthol 2.69 mM and salicylic acid methyl ester 3.94 mM). The corresponding IC 50 value of eucalyptol is in the range of 1.5 to 3 (Wang et al ., ) and 15 mM (Ribeiro et al ., ). The concentration of eucalyptol in Listerine® is 5.96 mM.…”

A Preliminary Investigation on the Antimicrobial Activity of Listerine®, Its Components, and of Mixtures Thereof

“…In the guidance document on using in vitro data to estimate in vivo starting doses for acute toxicity, an IC 50 value of 1.7 mM is given for MS (Website, , the MS concentration in Listerine® is 3.94 mM). Eu is the least toxic of the phenols in Listerine® (Ribeiro et al , , Wang et al , ). Undiluted Listerine® applied to the left cheek pouch mucosa of hamsters 45 min daily for 41 days caused diffuse, corrugated white lesions showing hyperkeratosis in all of the animals.…”

Effectiveness of three solvents and two associations of solvents on gutta-percha and resilon

“…In addition, cytotoxicity is considered a secondary mechanism in non-genotoxic carcinogenesis (20). The choice of an ideal solvent for endodontic retreatment requires the establishment of a balance between the level of toxicity and aggression to the tissues, and the chemical capacity of dissolution (12).…”