Cytotoxicity and Gene Expression Changes of a Novel Homeopathic Antiseptic Oral Rinse in Comparison to Chlorhexidine in Gingival Fibroblasts

Abstract

Most available antiseptic solutions available today have strong antibacterial effects, however most also possess major cytotoxic effects on human gingival tissues. The VEGA Oral Care Recovery Kit (StellaLife), previously evaluated in clinical studies, consists of 16 active ingredients that are monographed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of United States (HPUS) and recognized for their accelerated healing properties (reduction in post-op pain). The aim of this study was to compare VEGA to chlorhexidine (CHX) in vitro on gingival fibroblast viability, survival at various concentrations, migration assay, proliferation activity, expression of both regenerative growth factors as well as inflammatory markers, and collagen synthesis. A 10-fold dilution of standard CHX (0.02%) led to cell death, whereas cell viability was significantly better in the VEGA group for all tested parameters. Furthermore, VEGA also induced significantly greater fibroblast migration and proliferation. CHX negatively impacted the cellular inflammatory response of gingival fibroblasts, and also led to a reduction in collagen synthesis (50% decrease). Findings from the present study provide support from basic laboratory experiments that validate the previous clinical studies supporting the use of the VEGA oral rinse on its superior biocompatibility and wound healing properties when compared to CHX.

Effect of Chlorhexidine Digluconate in Early Wound Healing of Human Gingival Tissues. A Histological, Immunohistochemical and Biomolecular Analysis

“…Mariotti and Rumpf [19] postulated that CHX can reduce both collagen and non-collagen protein production and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), even at very low concentrations, and this negatively affects the wound healing process. This was confirmed in a recent in vitro study in which cells were exposed to a concentration diluted 100-fold when compared to the current use in clinical practice [24].…”

Cytocompatibility Properties of an Herbal Compound Solution Support In vitro Wound Healing

“…Nonetheless, little is known about potential synergistic effects within the compound. Currently, there is only one cellular investigation of SLife, which suggested that it had superior cytocompatibility as compared to Chlorhexidine in vitro ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Little is known about the cytocompatibility of SLife, but the only available study has shown that cell viability of gingival fibroblasts was minimal after 5 min of stimulation with 100% SLife solution ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ). To determine the maximum non-toxic (MNTD) dose of the solution we employed a concentration curve of SLife ranging from 0% (100% DMEM+) up to 60% (60% SL/40% DMEM+) v/v to challenge L929 fibroblasts for 5 min.…”

“…The concept of herbal compounds to accelerate wound healing has recently been introduced in dentistry for surgical recovery ( Tatch, 2019 ) and a new homeopathic oral rinse containing herbal extracts of A. indica , Echinacea , Calendula and propolis [StellaLife VEGA ® Oral rinse (SLife), Northbrook, IL, United States ∗ ] has shown promising potential for facilitating wound healing in the oral mucosa ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ). The only available study assessing the cytocompatibility of this herbal extract compound oral rinse (SLife) reported that it demonstrated less toxicity than 0.12% chlorhexidine, which is the most commonly used antiseptic for post-surgical oral care ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ). Further, gene expression analysis was suggestive of possibly accelerated wound healing as compared to control by upregulation of collagen type I transcription ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The only available study assessing the cytocompatibility of this herbal extract compound oral rinse (SLife) reported that it demonstrated less toxicity than 0.12% chlorhexidine, which is the most commonly used antiseptic for post-surgical oral care ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ). Further, gene expression analysis was suggestive of possibly accelerated wound healing as compared to control by upregulation of collagen type I transcription ( Fujioka-Kobayashi et al, 2020 ). In comparison, our study extended to the investigation of cytotoxicity to multiple different cellular populations including primary oral stem cells, which are more sensitive probes of toxic biomaterials.…”