Antihalitosis Effect of Essential Oil Extracted From Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium Fruits

Abstract

Halitosis is associated with the excessive production of acid and volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), as well as accumulation of biofilm plaque by oral bacteria in mouth cavity. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium, locally known as andaliman or lemon pepper, is an Indonesian endemic spice with high content of essential oils, including carveol that has been reported for its potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. We determined whether extract of Z. acanthopodium essential oil (ZAEO) exerted anti-halitosis effect on reducing biofilm plaque, acid production, and VSCs by using Actinomyces viscosus model in vitro. ZAEO was extracted in n-hexane followed by evaporation. ZAEO at various doses (20-100 µg/ml) was tested and quantified for its antibiofilm, acid production, and total VSCs production toward A. viscosus oral bacteria in vitro by conducting biofilm assays for preventing and eradicating effects, pH-stat analysis, and VSCs assay. At lowest dose (20 µg/ml), ZAEO inhibited and removed >50% of A. viscosus biofilms. A. viscosus was able to produce acid rapidly in 20 minutes, resulting in the pH terminal of 5.57, and ZAEO treatment at 40 µg/ml exerted significant inhibition on acid production with the terminal pH of 5.93, respectively. ZAEO at lowest dose also reduced >50% of total VCSs produced by A. viscosus. Our results suggest that ZAEO extract could be applied as a natural ingredient for halitosis treatment.

Botanical Aspects, Phytochemicals and Health Benefits of Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium)

“…Consequently, the rapid production of acid by A. viscosus was also inhibited by ZAEO in the concentration of 40 μg/mL. It is suggested that ZAEO extract could be administered as a natural ingredient for halitosis treatment (Yanti et al, 2019).…”

“…Halitosis is implied by bad smell from the mouth due to the production of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) by oral bacteria, and it is mostly caused by lack of oral hygiene, periodontal infection, oral carcinoma, food residues, and throat infection (Aylıkcı & Çolak, 2013). A study by Yanti et al (2019) determined the anti-halitosis effect of Z. acanthopodium essential oil (ZAEO) on inhibiting and removing biofilm plaque, reducing acid production, and inhibiting VSCs with Actinomyces viscosus model in vitro. The lowest dose used (20 ug/mL) of ZAEO in the experiment inhibited and removed more than 50% of A. viscosus biofilms as well as total VSCs produced by the microorganism.…”