Antimicrobial action and cytotoxicity of hypochlorous acid obtained from an innovative electrolytic device – An in vitro study

This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect and cytotoxicity of hypochlorous acid(HClO) obtained from an innovative electrolytic device. The root canals of fifty extracted human teeth were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and divided into 5 groups (n=10): DW (control); 2% chlorhexidine gel(CHX); 2.5% sodium hypochlorite(NaOCl); 250 ppm HClO and 500 ppm HClO. The counting of colony forming units evaluated the decontamination potential of each group. Cytotoxicity was evaluated after inoculation of tested protocols in fibroblastic cells for 3 min, calculating the cell viability. Specific statistical analysis was performed (α=5%). The highest bacterial reduction was observed in experimental groups, with no statistical differences from each other (p>0.05). The highest number of viable cells was observed in control group, followed by 250 ppm HClO and 500 ppm HClO groups, with statistical differences from each other (p<0.05). It could be concluded that HClO presented high antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity at both tested concentrations.