Cetylpyridinium Chloride-Containing Mouthwashes Show Virucidal Activity against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Viruses. 2023 Jun 25;15(7):1433. doi: 10.3390/v15071433.

Abstract

The oral cavity is particularly susceptible to viral infections that are self-recovering in most cases. However, complications may appear in severe cases and/or immunocompromised subjects. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-containing mouthwashes are able to decrease the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by disrupting the integrity of the viral envelope. Here, we show that CPC, as the active ingredient contained in commercialized, exerts significant antiviral activity against enveloped viruses, such as HSV-1, but not against non-enveloped viruses, such as HPV. CPC-containing mouthwashes have been used as antiseptics for decades, and thus, they can represent a cost-effective measure to limit infection and spread of enveloped viruses infecting the oral cavity, aiding in reducing viral transmission.

Keywords: CPC; HPV; HSV; enveloped viruses; oral infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local* / pharmacology
  • COVID-19*
  • Cetylpyridinium / pharmacology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human*
  • Humans
  • Mouthwashes / pharmacology
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Mouthwashes
  • Cetylpyridinium
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local

Grants and funding

Dentaid funded this study and supplied mouthwash formulations. E.G.-V. is a research fellow from PERIS, supported by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Catalonia (SLT017/20/000090). E.B. is a research fellow from ISCIII-FIS (MSII19/00012).