ANTIPLAQUE, ANTIBACTERIAL, AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF TRICLOSAN MOUTHRINSES IN COMBINATION WITH ZINC CITRATE OR POLYVINYLMETHYLETHER MALEIC-ACID (PVM-MA) COPOLYMER

The antibacterial agent triclosan has demonstrated antiplaque and anti gingivitis activity in several clinical studies. Retention of antiplaq ue agents is of significance for their clinical effect. Triclosan has a relatively rapid clearance from the oral cavity, and attempts have b een made to increase its oral retention. In the present clinical antip laque study, it was found that 0.5% copolymer polyvinyl-methylether ma leic acid (PVM-MA) or 0.5% zinc citrate, which are both added to comme rcial products, inhibited plaque formation to a similar degree when us ed in combination with 0.3% triclosan, 1.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS ) and diluted propylene glycol (PG) in water (1:8). Plaque inhibition was significantly improved compared to a placebo solution. It was show n that these results could not be explained by an increase in antibact erial activity or by a change in the critical micellar concentration. The effect of the same solutions on SLS-induced inflammation on skin w as also tested. It was seen that the triclosan/zinc citrate solution a nd the control (triclosan/ethanol) decreased the inflammatory response , whereas the solutions containing triclosan in either propylene glyco l (PG) or copolymer/PG did not exhibit any anti-inflammatory capacity.