Antimicrobial

Lactoperoxidase

Hydrogen peroxide

Biochemistry

Peroxidase

Inorganic chemistry

Dentistry

Food science

Fluoride

Organic chemistry

Thiocyanate

Enzyme

Antiseptic

Saliva

Chlorhexidine

Dentifrice

Medicine

Chemistry

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) present in saliva are an important element of the nonspecific immune response involved in maintaining oral health. The main role of this enzyme is to oxidize salivary thiocyanate ions (SCN-) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to products that exhibit antimicrobial activity. LPO derived from bovine milk has found an application in food, cosmetics, and medical industries due to its structural and functional similarity to the human enzyme. Oral hygiene products enriched with the LPO system constitute an alternative to the classic fluoride caries prophylaxis. This review describes the physiological role of human salivary lactoperoxidase and compares the results of clinical trials and in vitro studies of LPO alone and complex dentifrices enriched with bovine LPO. The role of reactivators and inhibitors of LPO is discussed together with the possibility of using nanoparticles to increase the stabilization and activity of this enzyme.

The Significance of Lactoperoxidase System in Oral Health: Application and Efficacy in Oral Hygiene Products