The effect of triclosan on mediators of gingival inflammation

Abstract

Triclosan (2,4,4',-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenylether) is a well-known and widely used nonionic antibacterial agent which has recently been introduced in toothpastes and mouthrinses. The efficacy of triclosan-containing toothpaste and mouthrinse to reduce both plaque and gingivitis in long-term clinical trials has been well documented. Until recently, it was generally assumed that triclosan's effect on gingival inflammation was due to its antimicrobial and anti-plaque effect. It has now become apparent that triclosan may have a direct anti-inflammatory effect on the gingival tissues. Several in vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of triclosan on 4 primary enzymes of the pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, cyclo-oxygenase 1, cyclo-oxygenase 2, 5-lipoxygenase and 15-lipoxygenase. These pathways lead to the production of known mediators of inflammation such as the prostaglandins, leukotrienes and lipoxins. Triclosan inhibited both cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclo-oxygenase 2 with IC-50 values of 43 microM and 227 microM, respectively. Triclosan also inhibited 5-lipoxygenase with an IC-50 of 43 microM. The 15-lipoxygenase was similarly inhibited by triclosan with an IC-50 of 61 microM. Hence, triclosan has the ability to inhibit both the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism with similar efficacy. In cell culture experiments, it was found that triclosan inhibited IL-1 beta induced prostaglandin E2 production by human gingival fibroblasts in a concentration dependent manner, and at relatively low concentrations. These data, taken together, indicate that triclosan can inhibit formation of several important mediators of gingival inflammation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Is there a role for triclosan/copolymer toothpaste in the management of periodontal disease?

“…Triclosan in this concentration range was found to inhibit both the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. 60 While these results indicate that triclosan has the ability to modulate the production of infl ammatory cytokines and thus implies an anti-infl ammatory effect it must be noted that all of these studies have been carried out using fi broblasts. It may be that a more appropriate test system would be to study the anti-infl ammatory effects of triclosan using crucial infl ammatory cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes.…”

Supragingival Calculus: Formation and Control

“…Besides acting as an antibacterial agent, triclosan may have an anti-inflammatory function, since it can neutralize the products of bacteria that can provoke inflammation. It is also a potent inhibitor of both cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways (Gaffar et al, 1995).…”

Uptake, Distribution and Release of 14C-Triclosan in Human Gingival Fibroblasts

“…Previously, we showed that triclosan inhibits the production of PGE 2 , IL-1b, and IFN-g as well as MHC class II expression in gingival fibroblasts. [12][13][14][15] It has been suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of triclosan is partly related to its inhibitory effect on prostaglandin biosynthesis. 12,13 There are several possible cellular targets which triclosan may affect because it is taken up and distributed in the cytoplasmic and in the nuclear fractions of the cells.…”

“…12,13 In addition, we reported that triclosan reduces the production of IL-1b and interferon-g (IFN-g) as well as the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II in gingival fibroblasts. 14,15 However, the effect of triclosan on the signal pathways involved in the production of inflammatory mediators in gingival fibroblasts is not well known.…”