Boaz Mizrahi
Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
Title: Citrus Oil and Dead Sea Magnesium salts as Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Biography
Biography: Boaz Mizrahi
Abstract
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Dead Sea magnesium chloride (MgCl2), citrus oil, and their combination were investigated. This combination is frequently used in several cultures to treat several gum diseases including periodontitis and mouth sores. Citrus oil is composed of monoterpenes, in particular D-limonene, which is known to inhibit growth of bacteria, fungi, and certain parasites. Inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis in vitro was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of a mixture of Dead Sea magnesium chloride and citrus oil and of each of the components. A subcutaneous chamber model in mice was used to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the mixture and the individual components. Leukocyte migration, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) secretion, and interleukin (IL)-10 secretion were determined. Hydrocortisone was used as a positive control. Citrus oil had an antibacterial effect with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 mg/ml, whereas MgCl2 at concentrations up to 10 mg/ml did not exhibit any antibacterial activity. However, a mixture of 10 mg/ml MgCl2 and 0.25 mg/ml citrus oil dramatically increased inhibition of bacterial growth. The combination of MgCl2 and the citrus oil resulted in lower levels of TNF-a and leukocyte migration while maintaining the levels of IL-10 compared to the control. These findings suggest that a mixture of citrus oil and MgCl2 could be used as a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.