Efficacy of SALI-10 Oral Probiotics in Experimental Gingivitis

Overview

Gingivitis is among the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide, affecting an estimated 50-90% of adults. It is a reversible condition primarily caused by microbial plaque accumulation on teeth and gingival surfaces, which triggers inflammation. Standard care emphasizes plaque reduction through oral hygiene, and research shows gingivitis can be reversed once hygiene resumes. The classic experimental gingivitis (EG) model developed in 1965 by Löe and Silness demonstrated the direct link between plaque buildup and gingival inflammation, further confirming that gingival health can be restored after resuming proper care. Microbial ecology shifts are central to gingivitis pathogenesis. In health, the oral microbiome is dominated by gram-positive Streptococcus species. With plaque accumulation, microbial communities transition to gram-negative periopathogens such as Porphyromonas, Tannerella, Treponema, and Prevotella. This dysbiosis provokes heightened inflammation, tissue damage, and, in susceptible individuals, progression to periodontitis. Individual variability in the inflammatory response has been associated with differences in the presence and activity of beneficial streptococci. Certain strains of Streptococcus salivarius produce lantibiotics called salivaricins-polycyclic antimicrobial peptides containing lanthionine residues. Salivaricins inhibit oral pathogens and have been investigated for their antimicrobial and probiotic properties, particularly in the context of rising antibiotic resistance. Probiotic S. salivarius strains isolated from healthy individuals have demonstrated safety and antimicrobial potential in previous studies, supporting their use in preventing oral and respiratory infections. A strain of S. salivarius designated SALI-10 produces a lantibiotic, Salivaricin 10, and is being evaluated as a candidate for gingivitis prevention. This strain is hypothesized to (1) help stabilize populations of beneficial streptococci during plaque accumulation, (2) competitively inhibit periopathogens such as Porphyromonas and Prevotella, and (3) suppress the dysbiotic shift toward gram-negative dominance. By contributing to microbial balance and reducing inflammatory triggers, SALI-10 may support resilient host-microbe interactions associated with gingival health. This approach may offer a dual antimicrobial and microbiome-stabilizing strategy with relevance to gingivitis management and longer-term periodontal health.

Gingivitis is an oral disease condition affecting 50% to 90% of adults globally. The gingivitis pathology can be reversed by reduction or removal of microbial plaque that accumulates on hard and soft tissues and is considered standard of care in the industry. Regular oral hygiene in combination with therapeutics that delivers an anti-microbial benefit is thought to mitigate the onset of gingivitis. However, testing therapeutics for prophylaxis benefit to mitigate development of gingivitis has not been fully examined. The classical model of experimental gingivitis (EG) was developed in 1965 by Loe and Silness who convincingly demonstrated the causative relationship between the accumulation of dental plaque and the development of clinically evident gingivitis in healthy young adults abstaining from all oral hygiene practices for a 21-day period. Furthermore, on resuming customary oral hygiene practices, all subjects demonstrated a return to gingival health. Understanding how participants returned quickly to gingival health aligns with the current understanding that the clinically healthy state is an active and dynamic process. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell (leukocyte), represent a key component of the innate defence system that protects periodontal tissue from both gingivitis and periodontitis. Not only are they the first line of cellular defence, but they are among the most abundant leukocytes within the periodontal tissues. Gingivitis is associated with a significant increase in the number of neutrophils that migrate to periodontal tissue. In contrast, individuals with too few neutrophils brought about by either congenital deficiencies in neutrophil numbers or transit (LAD 1 and 2), or those with induced neutropenia by chemical induction with antimitotic agents such as cyclophosphamide, invariably develop periodontitis. Likewise, studies in knockout mice that are defective in neutrophil transit also develop periodontitis. Consistent with the key contribution of neutrophils to both gingivitis and periodontitis, neutrophil transit to gingival tissue is highly regulated. The periodontium contains innate host defense mediators that facilitate the transit of neutrophils from the highly vascularized gingival tissue to the gingival crevice, where they form a "wall" between the host tissue and the dental plaque biofilm. However, the prolonged presence of neutrophils in gingival tissue is not tolerated in the healthy state. The failure to downregulate neutrophil transit results in an increase in neutrophil numbers in gingival tissue and a significant increase in periodontal bone loss. Therefore, neutrophil homing to the gingival crevice is highly regulated such that under conditions of periodontal health the appropriate amount of neutrophils are present to maintain control of dental plaque bacterial growth and yet not elicit tissue damage. Evaluation of oral and blood neutrophils during experimental gingivitis has shown that people with uniquely high inflammatory response have an exaggerated polymorphonuclear neutrophil response both in the oral cavity and in the blood. Gingivitis is a reversible inflammatory condition caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and the associated disruption of the host-microbial homeostasis. During gingivitis, the microbial community transitions from being dominated by gram-positive health-associated bacteria, such as Streptococcus species, to gram-negative periopathogens, including species of the genera Porphyromonas, Tannerella, Treponema and Prevotella. This dysbiotic shift triggers inflammatory responses, leading to tissue damage and, in some cases, progression to periodontitis. A recent study on human experimental gingivitis identified three distinct host response phenotypes-high, low, and slow responders-based on clinical, inflammatory, and microbial parameters: High Responders: Rapid plaque accumulation accompanied by a significant increase in gram-negative periopathogens and elevated inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Low Responders: Similar plaque accumulation to high responders but lower inflammation, suggesting a more muted host response to bacterial dysbiosis. Slow Responders: Delayed plaque accumulation and microbial succession, with prolonged dominance of health-associated Streptococcus species and a delayed or reduced inflammatory response. Microbial analysis revealed that the persistence of beneficial Streptococcus species, such as S. sanguinis and S. oralis, in slow and low responders correlates with a protective effect against the emergence of periopathogens and the associated inflammatory cascade. Conversely, the loss of these beneficial bacteria in high responders was linked to more severe inflammation, highlighting the critical role of the oral microbiome in modulating gingivitis severity. Lantibiotic salivaricins are polycyclic peptides containing lanthionine and/or β-methyllanthionine residues that are produced by certain strains of Streptococcus salivarius, which almost exclusively reside in the human oral cavity. These molecules are notable for their antimicrobial activity toward relevant oral pathogens, supporting the development of salivaricin-producing probiotic strains. Salivaricins are also relevant for development of novel antibacterial therapies in the context of emerging antibiotic resistance. Previous work has shown the bacteriocin and safety features of S. salivarius strains isolated from healthy subjects, demonstrating their potential for use as probiotics. Proposed Solution: S. salivarius SALI-10 The investigators propose using a novel strain, Streptococcus salivarius SALI-10, as a targeted microbial intervention to modulate the oral microbiome and prevent gingivitis. S. salivarius SALI-10 is hypothesized to: * Maintain a stable population of beneficial streptococci during plaque accumulation. * Inhibit the growth of periopathogens through microbial competition and production of Salivaricin 10. * Delay or suppress the dysbiotic shift to gram-negative dominance, thereby reducing the inflammatory response. By supporting microbial homeostasis, SALI-10 may emulate the resilience observed in slow responders and offer a novel strategy for gingivitis prevention. Dosage Regimen This is a placebo-controlled study. Each participant randomized to the intervention group will receive mint-flavoured SALI-10 lozenges. They will take one lozenge twice a day-morning and evening-after brushing, allowing it to dissolve in the mouth. Participants will use the study lozenges throughout the study. Prestudy Screening and Baseline Evaluation Telephone Pre-Screening Potential study participants who express interest will be contacted by telephone. Eligibility for screening will be assessed using standard recruitment questions. In-Person Screening Before screening procedures occur, participants will provide informed consent. Participants will complete demographic and health information and undergo an oral examination of soft and hard tissues. Female participants will undergo a urine pregnancy test. The screening continues until sixty (60) participants are enrolled. Visit 1 - Baseline Assessment Participants will undergo an oral exam including probing depth (PD), attachment level (AL), visible plaque index (VPI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Biospecimens collected will include gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), subgingival plaque, saliva, and an oral rinse. Participants will receive a dental cleaning and their assigned study product with instructions. Treatment Visit Schedule Participants will consume two lozenges per day at home and attend eight (8) study visits. Visit 2 (Day -14 / -7) Oral examination and biospecimen collection (GCF, plaque, saliva, oral rinse). Participants report use of NHPs and adverse effects. Induction Phase (No Oral Hygiene for 21 Days) Visit 3 (Day 0) Oral examination and biospecimen collection. Participants refrain from all oral hygiene for 21 days and continue their assigned lozenges. Visit 4 (Day 7) Oral examination and biospecimen collection. Participants are reminded to continue refraining from oral hygiene. Visit 5 (Day 14) Oral examination and biospecimen collection. Participants continue refraining from oral hygiene. Resolution Phase (Participants Resume Oral Hygiene) Visit 6 (Day 21) Oral examination and biospecimen collection. Participants receive a dental cleaning and resume home oral hygiene while continuing study lozenges. Visit 7 (Day 28) Oral examination and biospecimen collection. Visit 8 - End of Study (Day 35) Oral examination and biospecimen collection. Participants receive compensation and resume regular oral hygiene. After study completion, the manufacturer will unblind the product groups, and participants will be informed of their assignment.