A study conducted in vitro shows that cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthwash formulas neutralize 99.9% of the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 contained in the oral cavity.
- Known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was able to reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 contained in the mouth by 99.9% when used in mouthwash.
Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash are not just basic oral hygiene gestures. These are also barrier gestures to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, reveals a new study in vitro performed by Microbac Laboratories, an independent virology laboratory on behalf of Unilever Research Laboratories.
Its preliminary results show that the use of a mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) could significantly reduce (99.9%) the viral transmission of Covid-19 by attacking the virus possibly present in the oral cavity.
“Although it is obvious that this is neither a cure nor a fully proven way to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the results obtained here are very promising. Given the stage current critical of the pandemic, we believe it is important to share them so that consumers are aware of the potential benefits of mouthwashes containing CPC, alongside other preventative hygiene measures.”explains Glyn Roberts, PhD, Head of Oral Care R&D at Unilever.
A reduction in oral viral load for up to 6 hours
Used for a long time in the medical community for the control of dental plaque, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is also known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It is also recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) against SARS-CoV-2 as part of the disinfection and sterilization of health care establishments.
In the study, the researchers used a mouthwash, which contains 0.07% CPC. It turned out that the latter “reduces the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 by 99.9%, after 30 seconds of rinsing, which corresponds to the traditional use time of a mouthwash, indicates Unilever”. “Viral load could be reduced in the mouth for up to 6 hours”believes Glyn Roberts.
“Mouthwashes containing CPC, produced by other companies, could also have a positive effect. We share our results here in a spirit of openness and collaboration with the scientific community. We encourage other laboratories to continue their research into the role that oral hygiene products could play as a complementary preventative measure during the pandemic Leading scientists have reviewed the data from Unilever’s research and agree that it is in the public interest to share broadly these results”continues the researcher attached to Unilever.
These results agree with those from a previous studyconducted by the Penn State College of Medicine, which concluded that certain mouthwashes could reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in the oral cavity, and therefore help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 within the population.
“The oral cavity is an area of high concentration of SARS-CoV-2: one milliliter of saliva can contain up to one million viral particles. Disinfection of the mouth by the regular use of mouthwash is therefore a simple, non-binding gesture that can reinforce the series of barrier gestures recommended by health authorities”concludes Glyn Roberts.
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