Optimization of Functional Toothpaste Formulation Containing Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Birch Extract for Daily Oral Care
Alexandra-Diana Florea,
Cristina Teodora Dobrota,
Rahela Carpa,
Csaba-Pal Racz,
Gheorghe Tomoaia,
Aurora Mocanu,
Alexandra Avram,
Olga Soritau,
Lucian Cristian Pop,
Maria Tomoaia-Cotisel
Affiliations
Alexandra-Diana Florea
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cristina Teodora Dobrota
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rahela Carpa
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Str., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Csaba-Pal Racz
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gheorghe Tomoaia
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 47 Gen. Traian Mosoiu Str., 400132 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Aurora Mocanu
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Alexandra Avram
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Olga Soritau
Oncology Institute of Cluj-Napoca, 34-36 Republicii Str., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Lucian Cristian Pop
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Maria Tomoaia-Cotisel
Research Center of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Str., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
This research work aims to develop functional toothpastes with combined enamel remineralization and antibacterial effects using nano-hydroxyapatites (nHAPs) and birch extract. Eleven toothpastes (notated as P1–P11) were designed featuring different concentrations of birch extract and a constant concentration of pure nHAPs or substituted nHAPs (HAP-5%Zn, HAP-0.23%Mg-3.9%Zn-2%Si-10%Sr, and HAP-2.5%Mg-2.9%Si-1.34%Zn). In vitro assessments involved treating artificially demineralized enamel slices and analyzing surface repair and remineralization using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The Agar Disk Diffusion method was used to measure antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus. Topographic images of enamel structure and surface roughness, as well as the ability of nHAP nanoparticles to form self-assembled layers, revealed excellent restorative properties of the tested toothpastes, with enamel nanostructure normalization occurring as soon as 10 days after treatment. The outcomes highlighted enamel morphology improvements due to the toothpaste treatment also having various efficacious antibacterial effects. Promising results were obtained using P5 toothpaste, containing HAP-5%Zn (3.4%) and birch extract (1.3%), indicating notable remineralization and good antibacterial properties. This study represents a significant advancement in oral care by introducing toothpaste formulations that simultaneously promote enamel health through effective remineralization and bacterial inhibition.
