ABSTRACT
Recurrent intraoral herpes is a common oral disease that causes painful ulcers and viral shedding, resulting in various complications for patients. The antiviral efficacy of oral mouthwashes has not been adequately studied, although they are a readily available and rapid treatment modality for oral ulcers. In this experimental study, viricidal effects of chlorhexidine and Persica mouthwashes on Vero cell lines were examined, before and after HSV-1 infection of the cells, in the presence of various concentrations of mouthwashes at different time intervals by using quantal assays. Then the results were compared with those of acyclovir. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations [CC[50] of the two mouthwashes were determined. Data was analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA [alpha = 0.05]. CC[50] of Persica at 5- and 30-minute intervals were 0.2% and 0.14%, respectively. Chlorhexidine was toxic at durations more that 5 minutes. Before inoculation, both mouthwashes showed viricidal effects and Persica showed more viricidal effect than chlorhexidine and acyclovir [p values of 0.0001 and 0.04, respectively]. After virus inoculation antiviral effects of these mouthwashes were only limited to concentrations above 1/4. Acyclovir demonstrated the highest antiviral effect [p value = 0.0001]. Considering the better direct anti-HSV effect of the herbal mouthwash, Persica, and its less side effects compared to chlorhexidine, it can be used to reduce oral fluid contamination caused by viral shedding and reduce infectivity ofintra-oral ulcers