Formulation, Development, and Evaluation of Herbal Effervescent Mouthwash Tablet Containing Azadirachta Indica (Neem) and Curcumin for the Maintenance of Oral Hygiene

Background: Dental caries originate due to the localized dissolution of the hard tissues of teeth, mainly caused by acids, developed by the presence of microorganisms in the biofilm (dental plaque) on the surface of teeth causing “cavities”. Commercially available liquid mouthwashes containing synthetic active ingredients possess limitations like teeth staining, higher alcoholic content, taste disturbances, xerostomia, and stability issues. Objective: To make the solid preparation for oral hygiene (US6428770B1) in the form of herbal effervescent mouthwash tablet (CN106619318A, US8728446B2) using Azadirachta indica and Curcumin having antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiplaque, and anti-inflammatory activity. Methods: The optimization study of effervescent granules was performed by 33 factorial design. A total of 27 preliminary experimental batches were prepared by the fusion method, varying the amount of citric acid, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate. A complex of curcumin was prepared with hydroxyl propyl β-cyclodextrin and further examined by scanning electron microscopy. The prepared tablets were evaluated for pre and post-compression parameters. The in vitro antimicrobial study was performed by Agar well diffusion method against S. mutans. Results: All the experimental batches of effervescent granules were evaluated for pH, effervescent time, and CO2 content. Six batches were further selected for final tablet preparation. The results of the pre-compression parameters revealed excellent flow properties and post-compression parameters; the results were also significant. The antimicrobial study revealed the F3 as a final best formulation. Conclusion: The developed herbal formulation (F3) has a good potential to maintain oral hygiene as compared to alcoholic mouthwash and further studies may be necessary to confirm the efficacy of the formulation since only a single bacterial strain was assayed.