Abstract:

The current research endeavors to assess the biological reactions induced by two newly formulated tooth creams from Cocos nucifera. Freshly harvested coconut from the Tirupur district of Tamil Nadu underwent processing to create two distinct formulations: one utilizing coconut milk and the other lyophilized coconut extract. Tooth cream samples were prepared and tested against commercial tooth cream following ISO 10993-5 recommendations. Human gingival fibroblast cells were isolated and cultured according to approved protocols, and cytotoxicity evaluations were conducted through MTT assay and live/dead staining. Results indicated high cell viability in both coconut-based formulations, comparable to the commercial tooth cream. Live/dead staining revealed predominantly live cells with minimal cytotoxic effects. Novel coconut-derived tooth creams exhibit comparable biocompatibility to commercial formulations, showing high cell viability and minimal cytotoxicity with human gingival fibroblasts. This suggests coconut-based tooth creams as safe alternatives for oral care, advocating further investigation into their efficacy and tissue safety. Overall, our findings endorse natural compound utilization in dental care formulations.

References:

Bernardini S, Tiezzi A, Laghezza Masci V, Ovidi E. Natural products for human health: an historical overview of the drug discovery approaches. Nat Prod Res 2018;32:1926–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1356838.

[2] Rigano D, Bontempo P. Functional Properties of Natural Products and Human Health. MDPI AG; 2023.

[3] Troy E, Tilbury MA, Power AM, Wall JG. Nature-Based Biomaterials and Their Application in Biomedicine. Polymers 2021;13. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193321.

[4] Tatullo M. MSCs and Innovative Biomaterials in Dentistry. Springer; 2017.

[5] Joyce K, Fabra GT, Bozkurt Y, Pandit A. Bioactive potential of natural biomaterials: identification, retention and assessment of biological properties. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021;6:122. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-021-00512-8.

[6] Shanmugam PST, Sampath T, Jagadeeswaran I. Biocompatibility Protocols for Medical Devices and Materials. Elsevier; 2023.

[7] Franca CM, Balbinot G de S, Cunha D, Saboia V de PA, Ferracane J, Bertassoni LE. In-vitro models of biocompatibility testing for restorative dental materials: From 2D cultures to organs on-a-chip. Acta Biomater 2022;150:58–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.060.

[8] Muthuswamy Pandian S, Subramanian AK, Ravikumar PA, Adel SM. Biomaterial Testing in Contemporary Orthodontics: Scope, Protocol and Testing Apparatus. Semin Orthod 2023;29:101–8. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sodo.2022.12.011.

[9] Adel SM, El-Harouni N, Vaid NR. White Spot Lesions: Biomaterials, Workflows and Protocols. Semin Orthod 2023;29:68–78. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sodo.2023.01.002.

[10] Maliael MT, Subramanian AK, M S. Effectiveness of a fluoride-releasing orthodontic primer in reducing demineralization around brackets – a systematic review. Orthod Waves 2021;80:218–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/13440241.2021.2007678.

[11] Sruthi MA, Gurunathan D. An evidence-based classification on the location of White Spot lesions in primary teeth: A pilot study. World J Dent 2022;13:261–5. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-2044.

[12]Jain RK, Verma P. Visual Assessment of Extent of White Spot Lesions in Subjects treated with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Retrospective Study  World Journal of Dentistry 2022, 13(3):245-249.https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-2042

[13] Vashisht R, Kumar A, Indira R, Srinivasan MR, Ramachandran S. Remineralization of early enamel lesions using casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium Phosphate: an ex-vivo study. Contemp Clin Dent 2010;1:210–3. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-237X.76385.

[14] Nayik GA, Gull A. Antioxidants in Vegetables and Nuts - Properties and Health Benefits. Springer Nature; 2020.

[15] Rodrigues S, Pinto GAS. Ultrasound extraction of phenolic compounds from coconut (Cocos nucifera) shell powder. J Food Eng 2007;80:869–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.08.009.

[16] Rahamat SF, Manan WNHWA, Jalaludin AA, Abllah Z. Enamel subsurface remineralization potential of virgin coconut oil, coconut milk and coconut water. Materials Today: Proceedings 2019;16:2238–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.06.116.

[17] Appaiah P, Sunil L, Prasanth Kumar PK, Gopala Krishna AG. Composition of coconut Testa, coconut kernel and its oil. J Am Oil Chem Soc 2014;91:917–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-014-2447-9.

[18] Balakrishnan N, Subramanian AK, Eeswaramoorthy R, Kandasamy D. Enamel Remineralization Efficacy of Coconut Milk and Lyophilized Coconut Extract in Different Concentrations on Demineralized Enamel Surfaces: An In-Vitro Study. Cureus 2023;15:e44712. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.44712.

[19] Ghasemi M, Turnbull T, Sebastian S, Kempson I. The MTT Assay: Utility, Limitations, Pitfalls, and Interpretation in Bulk and Single-Cell Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021;22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312827.

[20] Berridge MV, Herst PM, Tan AS. Tetrazolium dyes as tools in cell biology: new insights into their cellular reduction. Biotechnol Annu Rev 2005;11:127–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1387-2656(05)11004-7.

[21] Eliades T. Orthodontic materials research and applications: part 2. Current status and projected future developments in materials and biocompatibility. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007;131:253–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.12.029.

[22] Subramanian AK, Lalit H, Sivashanmugam P. Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of cytotoxic activity of a novel titanium dioxide nanoparticle-infiltrated orthodontic adhesive: An in vitro study. World J Dent 2023;14:882–7. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-2319.

[23] Camargo SEA, Jóias RP, Santana-Melo GF, Ferreira LT, El Achkar VNR, Rode S de M. Conventional and whitening toothpastes: cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and effect on the enamel surface. Am J Dent 2014;27:307–11.

[24] Tadin A, Gavic L, Zeravica A, Ugrin K, Galic N, Zeljezic D. Assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of conventional and whitening kinds of toothpaste on oral mucosa cells. Acta Odontol Scand 2018;76:64–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2017.1384567.

[25]       Tabatabaei MH, Mahounak FS, Asgari N, Moradi Z. Cytotoxicity of the Ingredients of Commonly Used Toothpastes and Mouthwashes on Human Gingival Fibroblasts. Front Dent 2019;16:450–7. https://doi.org/10.18502/fid.v16i6.3444