Mouthwash with Active Oxygen (blue<sup>®</sup>m) Induces Keratinocytes Proliferation

Chlorhexidine is widely used in dentistry to treat various gingival conditions. Its side effects are widely described. Histologically, the gingiva consists of a stratified squamous epithelium, with a predominance of keratinocytes, the latter being fundamental in healing processes. Thus, the objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of a new product with active oxygen (blue®m) on keratinocytes. Keratinocytes (HACAT) were incubated with different concentrations of blue®m (1, 10 and 100 μl/ml), and another well was used as a control, without the presence of mouthwash. After 24, 48 and 72 hours, cell proliferation was analyzed by CyQUANT®. It was possible to observe that lower concentrations (1 μl/ml) of blue®m increased cell proliferation in HACAT cell lines, while moderate and higher concentrations of mouthwash may present a cytotoxic effect. This is the first in vitro study with showing that human keratinocytes cell line demonstrated greater proliferation rate when exposed to lower concentrations of blue®m mouthwash.