Cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of chlorhexidine

To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of Chlorhexidine (Chx) to the odontoblast cell line MDPC-23.

The odontoblast-like cells were seeded (30,000 cells/cm2) in 60 wells of 24-well dishes and then incubated in contact with the following experimental and control solutions: Group 1: 0.0024% Chx; Group 2: 0.004% Chx; Group 3: 0.02% Chx; Group 4: Phosphate buffer saline solution (PBS, negative control); and Group 5: 0.06% H2O2 (positive control). Cell metabolic activity was measured by MTT assay and the cell morphology was analyzed by SEM.

The cytotoxic effects of Chx are dose-dependent. The reduction in the cell metabolism for Groups 1, 2, and 3 was 24.8%, 29.9% and 70.8%, respectively. No statistical difference was observed between the Groups 1 and 2 in which no significant cell morphology changes occurred. Consequently, it was concluded that 0.02% Chx solution presents high cytotoxicity to the odontoblast-like cells MDPC-23. On the other hand, 0.0024% and 0.004% Chx causes slight cytopathic effects to the cultured cells.