Antimicrobial activity of Desplac® oral gel in the subgingival multispecies biofilm formation

Natural products are well-known due to their antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Desplac (R) product (composed of Aloe Vera, Propolis Extract, Green Tea, Cranberry, and Calendula) on the subgingival biofilm. Two different protocols were used to treat the 33-species biofilms: (A) 2x/day (12/12 h) for 1 min with Desplac (R) or Noplak Toothpaste (Chlorhexidine + Cetylpyridinium Chloride) or Oral B ProGengiva (stannous Fluoride) or a placebo gel; (B) a 12-h use of the Desplac (R) product or 0.12% chlorhexidine gel or a placebo gel. After 7 days of biofilm formation, the metabolic activity (MA) and biofilm profile were determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and Checker-board DNA-DNA hybridization, respectively. Statistical analysis used the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post-hoc. In protocol A, all treatments presented reduced MA compared to the placebo (p <= 0.05). The Desplac (R)-treated biofilm showed a similar microbial profile to other antimicrobials, although with higher bacterial total counts. In protocol B, MA of Desplac (R)-treated biofilms was lower than the placebo's MA but higher than chlorhexidine-treated biofilms (p <= 0.05). Pathogen levels in Desplac (R)-treated biofilms were lower than in placebo-treated biofilms and elevated compared to the chlorhexidine-treated biofilms (p <= 0.05). Desplac (R) inhibited the biofilm development and disrupted the mature subgingival biofilm, highlighting its effect on Tannerella forsythia counts.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of Desplac (R) product on the subgingival biofilm. The results showed that Desplac (R) reduced bacterial metabolic activity, altered the composition of the biofilm, and inhibited the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria.