Anti-Halitosis Effect of Toothpaste Supplemented with Alkaline Extract of the Leaves of Sasa senanensis Rehder

Previous studies have shown activity against viruses, bacteria, inflammation and oral lichenoid dysplasia of alkaline extract of the leaves of Sasa senanensis Rehder (SE), suggesting its possible application to oral diseases. In the present study, we performed a small-scale clinical test to investigate whether SE is effective against halitosis and in oral bacterial reduction. A total of 12 volunteers participated in this study. They brushed their teeth immediately after meals three times each day with SE-containing toothpaste (SETP) or placebo toothpaste. Halitosis in the breath and bacterial number on the tongue were measured by commercially available portable apparatuses at a specified time in the morning. Some relationship was observed between halitosis and bacterial number from each individual, especially when those with severe halitosis were included. Repeated experiments demonstrated that SETP significantly reduced halitosis but not the bacterial number on the tongue. The present study provides for the first time the basis for anti-halitosis activity of SE.