Oragenics plugs oral probiotics
for oral applications as a result of what it claims is positive
data from a clinical trial for its oral probiotic mouthrinse,
Probiora3.
The Florida-based company said it is planning to sell or license the technology. The company said the trial met its primary clinical end point by demonstrating a substantial effect of Probiora3 in reducing levels of specific disease-causing bacteria in the mouths of young, healthy adult subjects.
Using probiotics orally could further boost the market for these so-called friendly bacteria, which are making inroads into yoghurts and supplements.
"Our clinically-supported probiotic-based approach to maintaining oral health appears to have a promising future," said Dr. Robert Zahradnik, Oragenics president and CEO. "Probiora3's patent-pending blend of beneficial micro-organisms can be added to such products as mouthwashes and toothpastes, chewing gum, breath mints/lozenges, and quick-dissolve strips."
The biostatistics have not yet been completely deciphered, according to the company, as the second of the set of two studies finished on November 10th. But Oragenics says the end results show promise.
"Strong trends were observed, showing a reduction in the levels of three pathogenic bacteria," Oragenics scientific officer Jeffrey Hillman told NutraIngredients-USA.com.
Oragenics has reported that one bacteria associated with gum disease, Campylobacter rectus, was reduced to less than one percent of its pretreatment plaque level after one week of product use. The company also cited a decrease in the presence of two other bacterial strains associated with gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans, but was not yet able to specify the reduction.
Oragenics commissioned two four-week studies conducted at the University of Florida's Center for Periodontal Research. The studies involved 20 adults between the ages of 21 and 35 - all with healthy gums.
