Inhibitory Activities of Herbal Based Toothpaste on Germ Tube and Adhesion of Candida albicans

Oral candidiasis caused by Candida albicans is most often seen in immunocompromised patients. The good practice of oral hygiene is essential to prevent or reduce the risk for the disease. In the study, we evaluated the anticandidal activity of toothpastes available in Thailand and determined the inhibitory effect of herbal formulated toothpaste on the virulence factors of C. albicans. The inhibition activity of toothpaste supernatant on growth of C. albicans ATCC 10231 was tested by agar diffusion assay, and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by broth microdilution technique. The inhibition activity of herbal toothpaste supernatant on germ tube formation was tested using crystal based assay. The effect of herbal toothpaste on adherence of C. albicans to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) in vitro was also determined. In our study, all toothpastes (n=6) inhibited the growth of C. albicans with mean inhibition zone range between 8.00 and 16.92 mm. The MIC and MFC of six toothpastes were 0.78 to 1.56% (w/v). Herbal toothpaste derived supernatant at subinhibitory concentration reduced germ tube formation and adhesion of C. albicans to BEC with dose dependent manner (p<0.01). These results may provide the considerable information for individuals who need to maintain a healthy oral hygiene.