The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms

Background Hexylresorcinol (HR) lozenges provide symptomatic relief for sore throats. Despite its recognised anaesthetic and antiseptic properties, evidence of HR bactericidal activity in these formulations is limited, being only recently described in planktonic bacteria. We defined antimicrobial/an...

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Main Authors: Priyanka Sharma, Charlotte Richards, Jennifer Y. M. Adams, Kirsten Bentley, Aamir Razzak, Nicholas Claydon, Thomas Hallett, Graca Coutinho, Anuradha Kulasekaran, Lydia C. Powell, Richard J. Stanton, Elaine L. Ferguson, David W. Thomas, Katja E. Hill
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Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Oral Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2525229
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author Priyanka Sharma
Charlotte Richards
Jennifer Y. M. Adams
Kirsten Bentley
Aamir Razzak
Nicholas Claydon
Thomas Hallett
Graca Coutinho
Anuradha Kulasekaran
Lydia C. Powell
Richard J. Stanton
Elaine L. Ferguson
David W. Thomas
Katja E. Hill
author_facet Priyanka Sharma
Charlotte Richards
Jennifer Y. M. Adams
Kirsten Bentley
Aamir Razzak
Nicholas Claydon
Thomas Hallett
Graca Coutinho
Anuradha Kulasekaran
Lydia C. Powell
Richard J. Stanton
Elaine L. Ferguson
David W. Thomas
Katja E. Hill
author_sort Priyanka Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Background Hexylresorcinol (HR) lozenges provide symptomatic relief for sore throats. Despite its recognised anaesthetic and antiseptic properties, evidence of HR bactericidal activity in these formulations is limited, being only recently described in planktonic bacteria. We defined antimicrobial/antiviral activity in planktonic and biofilm models and characterised the pharmacokinetics of HR release from lozenges.Methods Antimicrobial activity (purified or released from lozenges) was determined against oropharyngeal pathogens using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Log10 reduction assays. Antiviral activity was determined by suspension test (EN14476). Antibiofilm effects employed minimum biofilm eradication concentration assays and confocal laser scanning microscopy. HR release from lozenges was studied in vitro and in vivo using HPLC.Results HR exhibited MICs ≤ 16 µg/mL against 19/25 strains including: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Candida spp. Marked bactericidal activity (>3log10; >99.9% reduction) occurred within 10 minutes. Significant anti-biofilm activity was evident in streptococcal and candidal biofilms (p < 0.05). Log10 reduction in virucidal infectivity of HR in lozenges ranged from 1-log10 to 3.5-log10. In vivo, HR exhibited rapid release (within 1 minute) from lozenges into saliva.Conclusion Rapid release and antimicrobial activity of HR against oropharyngeal pathogens was evident, occurring at concentrations ≥ 2-fold lower than present in saliva, highlighting the potential application of HR in the treatment of oropharyngeal infections.
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spelling doaj-art-5c69076e199e4e84b8286e93571e542b2025-08-20T03:29:44ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Oral Microbiology2000-22972025-12-0117110.1080/20002297.2025.2525229The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganismsPriyanka Sharma0Charlotte Richards1Jennifer Y. M. Adams2Kirsten Bentley3Aamir Razzak4Nicholas Claydon5Thomas Hallett6Graca Coutinho7Anuradha Kulasekaran8Lydia C. Powell9Richard J. Stanton10Elaine L. Ferguson11David W. Thomas12Katja E. Hill13Advanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKDivision of Infection &amp; Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKGlobal Medical Sciences, Reckitt Healthcare, Hull, UKGlobal Medical Sciences, Reckitt Healthcare, Turner House, Slough, UKGlobal Medical Sciences, Reckitt Healthcare, Turner House, Slough, UKCentre for NanoHealth, Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UKDivision of Infection &amp; Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKAdvanced Therapies Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKBackground Hexylresorcinol (HR) lozenges provide symptomatic relief for sore throats. Despite its recognised anaesthetic and antiseptic properties, evidence of HR bactericidal activity in these formulations is limited, being only recently described in planktonic bacteria. We defined antimicrobial/antiviral activity in planktonic and biofilm models and characterised the pharmacokinetics of HR release from lozenges.Methods Antimicrobial activity (purified or released from lozenges) was determined against oropharyngeal pathogens using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Log10 reduction assays. Antiviral activity was determined by suspension test (EN14476). Antibiofilm effects employed minimum biofilm eradication concentration assays and confocal laser scanning microscopy. HR release from lozenges was studied in vitro and in vivo using HPLC.Results HR exhibited MICs ≤ 16 µg/mL against 19/25 strains including: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Candida spp. Marked bactericidal activity (>3log10; >99.9% reduction) occurred within 10 minutes. Significant anti-biofilm activity was evident in streptococcal and candidal biofilms (p < 0.05). Log10 reduction in virucidal infectivity of HR in lozenges ranged from 1-log10 to 3.5-log10. In vivo, HR exhibited rapid release (within 1 minute) from lozenges into saliva.Conclusion Rapid release and antimicrobial activity of HR against oropharyngeal pathogens was evident, occurring at concentrations ≥ 2-fold lower than present in saliva, highlighting the potential application of HR in the treatment of oropharyngeal infections.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2525229Hexylresorcinolantimicrobialoropharyngeal pathogensantiviralplanktonicbiofilm
spellingShingle Priyanka Sharma
Charlotte Richards
Jennifer Y. M. Adams
Kirsten Bentley
Aamir Razzak
Nicholas Claydon
Thomas Hallett
Graca Coutinho
Anuradha Kulasekaran
Lydia C. Powell
Richard J. Stanton
Elaine L. Ferguson
David W. Thomas
Katja E. Hill
The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
Journal of Oral Microbiology
Hexylresorcinol
antimicrobial
oropharyngeal pathogens
antiviral
planktonic
biofilm
title The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
title_full The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
title_fullStr The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
title_full_unstemmed The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
title_short The pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol-containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
title_sort pharmacokinetics of hexylresorcinol containing lozenges and their antimicrobial efficacy against oral and respiratory microorganisms
topic Hexylresorcinol
antimicrobial
oropharyngeal pathogens
antiviral
planktonic
biofilm
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2525229
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