Testing a Low Molecular Mass Fraction of a Mushroom (Lentinus edodes) Extract Formulated as an Oral Rinse in a Cohort of Volunteers

Authors: Caterina Signoretto, Gloria Burlacchini, Anna Marchi, Marcello Grillenzoni, Giacomo Cavalleri, Lena Ciric, Peter Lingström, Elisabetta Pezzati, Maria Daglia, Egija Zaura, Jonathan Pratten, David A. Spratt, Michael Wilson, and Pietro Canepari  

Journal: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology

Study Design: The study was a three-leg, double-blind, clinical trial that evaluated the effects of a low molecular mass (LMM) fraction of shiitake mushroom extract formulated as a mouthrinse on dental plaque deposition and gingival inflammation. The study compared the mushroom extract mouthrinse to a placebo (colored and aromatized water) and a positive control (Listerine).

Participants: 90 healthy volunteers (49 males and 41 females, average age 22)

Intervention: The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups:

• Mushroom extract group: Rinsed twice daily with the LMM mushroom extract mouthrinse for 10 days
  
• Placebo group: Rinsed twice daily with colored and aromatized water for 10 days
  
• Listerine group: Rinsed twice daily with Listerine for 10 days
  

Outcome Measures:

• Plaque index (PI)
  
• Gingival index (GI)
  
• Total bacterial counts and counts of specific oral microorganisms in dental plaque samples using quantitative PCR
  

Summary: The study found that the mushroom extract mouthrinse was able to significantly reduce dental plaque deposition compared to the placebo, but this reduction was not significantly different from that observed with Listerine. The mushroom mouthrinse also showed a statistically significant advantage over both the placebo and Listerine in reducing gingival inflammation. The microbiological analysis revealed that the mushroom extract and Listerine had similar effects on the oral microbiota, inhibiting the increase in the number of several bacteria associated with gingivitis and caries. The mushroom extract, however, appeared to have a less pronounced effect on the bacteria associated with oral health compared to Listerine. The study concluded that a mouthrinse containing LMM shiitake mushroom extract may be beneficial in controlling dental caries and gingivitis/periodontitis.