An artificial saliva mouthwash may help protect the teeth of patients with head and neck cancer by reducing bacterial levels and supporting disease control, according to a news release dated January 7.
The mouthwash, made with the sugarcane-derived protein known as CANECPI-5, may combat damage near the mouth due to radiotherapy by protecting saliva function and preventing caries, according to the study.
“We’ve developed a process in which CANECPI-5 binds directly to tooth enamel, helping to make teeth more resistant to the action of acids produced by bacteria,” Dr. Natara Dias Gomes da Silva, PhD, MBA, of the University of São Paulo Bauru School of Dentistry in Brazil, said in the release.
Radiotherapy can damage salivary glands and reduce saliva production, which is critical for controlling oral bacteria and preventing disease. Patients with head and neck cancer currently lack a targeted product to prevent or treat the severe caries that often develop after radiation therapy.
For the study, researchers identified and developed cane cystatins, including CANECPI-5, a protein with strong inhibitory effects against cysteine peptidases. During testing, they observed that CANECPI-5 strongly adhered to smooth surfaces, prompting further investigation into its ability to bind to tooth enamel. This finding led to the development of the artificial saliva mouthwash containing a laboratory-modified form of CANECPI-5, according to the release.
The mouthwash was applied once daily for one minute to small sections of animal teeth. Then, researchers measured bacterial activity, biofilm viability, enamel demineralization, and changes in the microbial community.
The results showed that the formulation, especially when combined with fluoride and xylitol, significantly reduced bacterial activity and enamel mineral loss while preserving microbial diversity.
In the future, the researchers plan to study how CANECPI-5 interacts with other substances, including exploring its potential role in preventing or treating periodontal disease, according to the release.
“Based on these results, we’ll conduct further research so that we can think about applications of this product,” Silva said.
