Inhibition of the formation of oral calcium phosphate precipitates: the possible effects of certain honeybee products

Background and Objective:  We studied the effects of honeybee products on the in vitro formation of calcium phosphate precipitates. Material and Methods:  Screening tests of the in vitro formation of calcium phosphate precipitates using 20 types of honey and four types of propolis were carried out using the pH drop method. Results:  The inhibitory effect on the rate of amorphous calcium phosphate transformation to hydroxyapatite and on the induction time varied greatly among the 20 types of honey and four types of propolis. We classified them according to their effects on decreasing the rate of amorphous calcium phosphate transformation to hydroxyapatite and/or increasing the induction time. Two of the 20 honeys showed little or no inhibition, either on the rate of amorphous calcium phosphate transformation to hydroxyapatite or on the induction time. Six of the honeys reduced the rate of amorphous calcium phosphate transformation to hydroxyapatite by 12–35% and with a 2.5- to 4.4-fold increase in the induction time. The remaining 12 honeys showed even greater activity. Because four of these 12 honeys had an inhibitory effect on the rate of amorphous calcium phosphate formation, they were excluded as candidates for anticalculus agents. Furthermore, three of the four types of propolis showed an inhibitory effect that was the same as or greater than 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate. Conclusion:  These results suggest that eight honeys and three types of propolis may have potential as anticalculus agents in toothpastes and mouthwashes.