Mechanical performance of sutures exposed to natural extract-based mouthwashes

This study examined the effects of natural herbal mouthwashes, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, propolis extract, and a 1:1 combination of both, on the tensile strength of sutures commonly used in oral surgical procedures. Two types of absorbable sutures, polyglactin (PGA) and poliglecaprone 25 (PGCL), in sizes 3/0 and 4/0, were evaluated. Tensile strength was measured before and after immersion in five media (artificial saliva, chlorhexidine, and three herbal solutions) for 24 h, 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks. A universal testing machine applied a 50 N load at a constant rate of 2 mm/min. Statistically significant differences in tensile strength were observed across suture groups and immersion media (p < 0.05), whereas immersion duration did not have a significant effect (p = 0.059). Sutures immersed in artificial saliva exhibited the lowest strength values, whereas those exposed to herbal solutions generally maintained higher tensile strength. Across all time points, the combined dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-propolis solution produced the highest tensile strength for both suture types, followed by propolis alone; artificial saliva consistently showed the lowest tensile strength. For PGA 3/0 and 4/0, the greatest mean tensile strengths were typically observed with dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and/or propolis (alone or combined). In contrast, PGCL 3/0 and 4/0 showed no consistent differences among rinses, and most between-solution comparisons were not statistically significant. Within the limitations of this in-vitro study, herbal mouthwashes did not negatively affect the tensile strength of the evaluated suture materials. Their natural and biocompatible composition supports their potential as safe, patient-friendly alternatives for postoperative oral care.