Selective Antimicrobial Effects of an Herbal Compound Rinse Against Multi-species Oral Biofilms

Abstract

Background: The growing utilization of oral rinses in dental and periodontal care has prompted the need for innovative products with selective antibacterial properties. This study evaluates the efficacy of an herbal compound rinse (StellaLife VEGA Oral Rinse, StellaLife Inc, IL) containing plant attenuations and propolis, in comparison to conventional antimicrobial oral rinses. Materials and Methods: Streptoccoccus oralis, Streptococcus gordonii DL1, Veillonella parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis were cultured and treated with StellaLife VEGA Oral Rinse (SL), 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), and Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash. Planktonic bacterial growth was assessed through optical density measurements (OD600), and colony forming units (CFU) counts. A clinical ex vivo multi-species biofilm was used to evaluate antibiofilm effects through fluorescence biofilm tracking. Results: SL significantly inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum 12 hours after treatment and P. gingivalis 96 hours after treatment, while exhibiting lower toxicity toward commensal bacteria such as S. oralis, S. gordonii, and V. parvula compared to LIS or CHX. In the clinical ex vivo biofilm, StellaLife, CHX, and Listerine all showed significant antibiofilm effects, disrupting biofilm structure and reducing bacteria viability. Conclusions: SL’s selective action on oral bacteria, targeting pathogens while preserving commensal microbes, holds promise for selective preservation of eubiotic biofilms. This study demonstrates the potential of this herbal compound rinse as an effective aid to selectively combat particularly against periodontal pathogens. Additional clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore their broader applications in oral health.