Oral ulcer healing and anti-Candida efficacy of an alcohol-free chitosan-curcumin mouthwash.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate oral ulcer healing and anti-Candida efficacy of an alcohol-free 0.1% chitosan-curcumin mouthwash. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A buccal mucosal ulcer was induced in hamster by topical application of acetic acid. The test mouthwash was applied to the ulcer twice a day for 7 consecutive days beginning on the fourth day after the ulcer induction. The anti-Candida efficacy of the mouthwash was determined against both free floating and biofilm forms of Candida albicans. RESULTS: The mouthwash significantly decreased the ulcer severity with a better ulcer healing efficacy than that of a standard benzydamine mouthwash. The mouthwash also exerted a comparable anti-Candida efficacy to a standard chlorhexidine mouthwash. CONCLUSIONS: An alcohol-free 0.1% chitosan-curcumin mouthwash may serve as a safe and potential topical alternative agent in the management of oral inflammatory ulcer and of candidiasis.