Scientists develop a mouthwash with oregano | A natural compound to prevent cavities

2023-05-02 04:31:11

Specialists from the National University of San Luis (UNSL) are working on the development of an oregano-based mouthwash that prevents the formation of cavities. Although the research is in the laboratory phase and has not yet been tested on people, evidence indicates that this spice, commonly used as a condiment, prevents the growth of streptococcus mutans, the main microorganism associated with dental disease. For this, the scientists obtained a minimum inhibitory concentration that acts on the tooth.

“We evaluated the oregano extract and its effect on healthy teeth. Tests carried out in the laboratory show that it attacks the most common microorganism associated with the formation of cavities.”, points out Maria Alejandra BertelloBiotechnology student, whose final thesis is part of the project led by Alba Vega, director of the Department of Biochemistry at UNSL.

Although one thinks of plants specially cultivated for this purpose, The scientists use oregano, which can be found loose in any diet or packaged in the supermarket.. To obtain the extract, they boil distilled water, add 10 grams of the herb and let it rest for ten minutes. Then they separate the solid remains to keep the liquid and, through a chemical process where the water is extracted, they obtain the powder. Once the procedure is done, they add water to achieve the desired concentration. Finally, they filter the product using a special method to eliminate possible bacteria and preserve its properties.

Economical and easily accessible

“The first step was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Then we began to work with healthy teeth and we saw that oregano sticks to the surface of the tooth and prevents the adhesion of the microorganism that later develops caries,” he points out. Andrea Arismendi Sosaco-director of the investigation.

Oregano is a readily available natural herb that is grown domestically and is inexpensive.. Since it contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, the scientists used it for different investigations. In fact, Before applying it to caries prevention, they were working on the inhibitory effect on a bacterium associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcers.. “The study of these natural compounds is important and it is a waste to use oregano only to flavor food,” Bertello points out.

Caries are the lesions with the highest oral prevalence. They appear in the form of spots and, if they are not treated by professionals, they make holes in the surface of the tooth until they reach its interior. Although at first they do not bother, in the long run they can cause pain and be the gateway to other diseases. In this regard, Bertello warns: “The loss of a dental piece affects the quality of life in different ways, from the way we chew to how we relate to other people. If we are missing a tooth, we may not smile or avoid talking as we would if we had all the pieces.”

Currently, the team is evaluating the effect of oregano extract on the expression of certain streptococcus mutans genes.. The final step is to formulate the mouthwash with the minimum inhibitory concentration already specified and the addition of other components for its preparation.