In vitro effects of fibrin hydrogel incorporated with Litsea cubeba essential oil on viability of periodontal pathogens and human gingival fibroblasts

Abstract

Background/purpose: The adjunctive use of antibiotics in periodontal therapy may lead to resistance and undesired effects, which can be mitigated by alternative agent such as Litsea cubeba. Thus, this study aimed to formulate fibrin hydrogel incorporated with L. cubeba essential oil (LC-EO) and test its antimicrobial property against key periodontal pathogens and cytotoxicity on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Materials and methods: Fibrin hydrogels were incorporated with various concentrations of LC-EO and the releasing of LC-EO was determined by measuring the wavelength absorbance. Their antibacterial activity was tested against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis by the direct contact method. The cytotoxicity to HGFs was determined by MTT assay. Results: The absorbance wavelength of LC-EO at 230 nm was the optimal wavelength using for the standard curve. The release of 1.0% (v/v) LC-EO from fibrin hydrogel in PBS was 0.03% (v/v) in the first hour and lasted for 24 h. The gradually release of LC-EO was observed until day 30 with the concentration of 0.008% (v/v). The minimum bactericidal concentration against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis was 1.0 % (v/v) and 0.25% (v/v), respectively. The lowest cytotoxicity to HGF cells was observed at 0.0625% (v/v), yielding the cell viability of 73.65 ± 8.24 % at 24 h. Conclusion: Fibrin hydrogel with LC-EO effectively inhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity assays also revealed concentration-dependent effects on HGF. Our results suggest the potential use of fibrin hydrogel with LC-EO as a novel adjunctive treatment in periodontal diseases.