Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Effects of Herbal Extract-Enriched Artificial Saliva: In-Vitro Biocompatibility and Cell Culture Studies

TL;DR

This study explores the development of an artificial saliva using herbal extracts that is biocompatible and has strong antioxidant properties.

Contribution

A novel artificial saliva formulation using local plant extracts is developed and shown to have enhanced antioxidant activity without cytotoxic effects.

Findings

Formulations had viscosities within the physiological range of natural saliva.

Extract-containing formulations showed significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to controls.

No cytotoxic effects were observed on gingival fibroblasts.

Abstract

The aim of this in-vitro exploratory study was to develop and evaluate a biocompatible and cost-effective artificial saliva formulation using locally available natural resources for the supportive management of xerostomia.

Twenty-four experimental artificial saliva formulations were prepared using two base matrices (mucin-based and carboxymethyl-cellulose–based) at two viscosity levels. Five plant extracts — Olea europaea (olive leaf), Cynara cardunculus (artichoke leaf), Equisetum arvense (horsetail), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort), Origanum vulgare (thyme) — were incorporated together with extract-free control formulations. The formulations were evaluated in-vitro in terms of viscosity, cytocompatibility on gingival fibroblasts, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity.

The formulations developed demonstrated viscosities within the physiological range of natural saliva. Cytotoxicity testing using gingival fibroblasts showed no detectable cytotoxic effects. Extract-containing formulations exhibited statistically significantly higher antioxidant activity compared with controls (p < 0.05). Antimicrobial activity assessed by disk diffusion testing revealed no measurable inhibition zones under the applied experimental conditions.

The developed artificial saliva formulations demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, good cytocompatibility, and enhanced antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that the formulation may represent a promising biomimetic candidate for further investigation in the supportive management of xerostomia.

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