scholarly journals Exploration of the antimicrobial synergy between selected natural substances on Streptococcus mutans to identify candidates for the control of dental caries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisha Evangeline Prince ◽  
David J McDonald ◽  
Soumya Roy
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Antimicrobial Action ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Manuka Honey ◽  
Synergistic Combinations

Dental caries is caused by dental plaque, a community of micro-organisms embedded in an extracellular polymer matrix as a biofilm on the tooth surface. Natural products that are widely available could be used as an alternative or adjunctive anti-caries therapy. Sometimes, when two products are used together, they yield a more powerful antimicrobial effect than the anticipated additive effect. These synergistic combinations are often better treatment options because individual agents may not have sufficient antimicrobial action to be effective when used alone. Cranberries contain phenolic compounds like proanthocyanidins (PAC) that disrupt biofilm formation. Manuka honey has high concentrations of the agent methylglyoxal, which is cariostatic. Because these agents have varied modes of antimicrobial action, they show potential for possible synergistic effects when paired. Various cranberry extracts were tested pairwise with manuka honey or methylglyoxal by well-diffusion assays and 96-well checkerboard assays in the presence of Streptococcus mutans to test for synergy. Synergy was demonstrated in two of the cranberry extracts paired with manuka honey. The synergistic combinations found in this research thus can be considered as candidates for the formulation of a dentifrice that could be used to inhibit the formation of dental plaque and thereby avoid the development of caries.

scholarly journals Essential Roles of thesppRAFructose-Phosphate Phosphohydrolase Operon in Carbohydrate Metabolism and Virulence Expression byStreptococcus mutans

2018 ◽  
Vol 201 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zeng ◽  
Robert A. Burne
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Organic Acids ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Sugar Phosphate ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTThe dental caries pathogenStreptococcus mutanscan ferment a variety of sugars to produce organic acids. Exposure ofS. mutansto certain nonmetabolizable carbohydrates, such as xylitol, impairs growth and can cause cell death. Recently, the presence of a sugar-phosphate stress inS. mutanswas demonstrated using a mutant lacking 1-phosphofructokinase (FruK) that accumulates fructose-1-phosphate (F-1-P). Here, we studied an operon inS. mutans,sppRA, which was highly expressed in thefruKmutant. Biochemical characterization of a recombinant SppA protein indicated that it possessed hexose-phosphate phosphohydrolase activity, with preferences for F-1-P and, to a lesser degree, fructose-6-phosphate (F-6-P). SppA activity was stimulated by Mg2+and Mn2+but inhibited by NaF. SppR, a DeoR family regulator, repressed the expression of thesppRAoperon to minimum levels in the absence of the fructose-derived metabolite F-1-P and likely also F-6-P. The accumulation of F-1-P, as a result of growth on fructose, not only inducedsppAexpression, but it significantly altered biofilm maturation through increased cell lysis and enhanced extracellular DNA release. Constitutive expression ofsppA, via a plasmid or by deletingsppR, greatly alleviated fructose-induced stress in afruKmutant, enhanced resistance to xylitol, and reversed the effects of fructose on biofilm formation. Finally, by identifying three additional putative phosphatases that are capable of promoting sugar-phosphate tolerance, we show thatS. mutansis capable of mounting a sugar-phosphate stress response by modulating the levels of certain glycolytic intermediates, functions that are interconnected with the ability of the organism to manifest key virulence behaviors.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus mutansis a major etiologic agent for dental caries, primarily due to its ability to form biofilms on the tooth surface and to convert carbohydrates into organic acids. We have discovered a two-gene operon inS. mutansthat regulates fructose metabolism by controlling the levels of fructose-1-phosphate, a potential signaling compound that affects bacterial behaviors. With fructose becoming increasingly common and abundant in the human diet, we reveal the ways that fructose may alter bacterial development, stress tolerance, and microbial ecology in the oral cavity to promote oral diseases.

scholarly journals Antibiofilm Activity of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Flavonoids against Streptococcus mutans Bacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Sri Kunarti ◽  
Aulia Ramadhani ◽  
Laskmiari Setyowati
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Garcinia Mangostana ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Biofilm Inhibition ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases and often occurs in the community caused by bacteria. Attached bacteria in the tooth surface for a long time will form a biofilm and will lead to demineralization characterized by damage in the structure of the tooth enamel. The bacteria that cause dental caries and can form biofilms is Streptococcus mutans. The bacteria inside biofilms are more resistant to antibacterial agents. Flavonoids in mangosteen pericarp extract can be a cleaner alternative for the anti-biofilm cavity that has properties against Streptococcus mutans. Purpose: To determine the activity of flavonoids in mangosteen pericarp extract at a certain concentration against Streptococcus mutans bacteria. Methods: This study was a laboratory experimental study with a post-test only control group design. Streptococcus mutans were diluted according to the Mc Farland dilution standard 106 in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) medium and put in a flexible U-bottom microtiter plate. Then it was incubated for 5x24 hours and checked using crystal violet simple staining to see the formation of biofilms. Flavonoid extract of mangosteen pericarp performed serial dilution in a concentration of 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.125%, 1.56%, and 0.78% was added, and the incubation process were conducted for 1x24 hours. OD (Optical Density) readings were done with a wavelength of 595 nm. Results: There was a significant difference between the test groups and the positive control group. The concentration of 100% had the anti-biofilm activity and showed the value of the highest percentage of inhibition, whilst the concentration of 0.78% showed a minimum biofilm inhibition concentration. The results were demonstrated by a statistical analysis test. Conclusion: Flavonoid extract of mangosteen pericarp at a certain concentration has anti-biofilm activity against Streptococcus mutans biofilm.

scholarly journals Cloning, Expression, Purification, and Preliminary Characterization of Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction of Glucosyltransferase B of Streptococcus mutans

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1984933
Author(s):  
Joshua L. Mieher ◽  
Norbert Schormann ◽  
Manisha Patel ◽  
Hui Wu ◽  
Champion Deivanayagam
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Persistent Disease ◽  
X Ray

Dental caries characterized by acid damage of tooth enamel is a persistent disease that begins with the formation of biofilms on the tooth surface. The secreted glucosyltransferases enable Streptococcus mutans to synthesize extracellular glucan polymers using ingested starch within the oral cavity, which eventually results in the production of acid, a contributing factor to cariogenesis. In this paper, we report the cloning, expression, purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray diffraction characterization of glucosyltransferase B.

scholarly journals Genetic Analysis of Mutacin B-Ny266, a Lantibiotic Active against Caries Pathogens

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Dufour ◽  
Abdelahhad Barbour ◽  
Yuki Chan ◽  
Marcus Cheng ◽  
Taimoor Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Oral Bacteria ◽  
Oral Streptococci ◽  
Chromosomal Locus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Plaque Biofilm

ABSTRACT Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized proteinaceous antibacterial peptides. They selectively interfere with the growth of other bacteria. The production and secretion of bacteriocins confer a distinct ecological advantage to the producer in competing against other bacteria that are present in the same ecological niche. Streptococcus mutans, a significant contributor to the development of dental caries, is one of the most prolific producers of bacteriocins, known as mutacins in S. mutans. In this study, we characterized the locus encoding mutacin B-Ny266, a lantibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity. The chromosomal locus is composed of six predicted operon structures encoding proteins involved in regulation, antimicrobial activity, biosynthesis, modification, transport, and immunity. Mutacin B-Ny266 was purified from semisolid cultures, and two inhibitory peptides, LanA and LanA′, were detected. Both peptides were highly modified. Such modifications include dehydration of serine and threonine and the formation of a C-terminal aminovinyl-cysteine (AviCys) ring. While LanA peptide alone is absolutely required for antimicrobial activity, the presence of LanA′ enhanced the activity of LanA, suggesting that B-Ny266 may function as a two-peptide lantibiotic. The activation of lanAA′ expression is most likely controlled by the conserved two-component system NsrRS, which is activated by LanA peptide but not by LanA′. The chromosomal locus encoding mutacin B-Ny266 was not universally conserved in all sequenced S. mutans genomes. Intriguingly, the genes encoding LanAA′ peptides were restricted to the most invasive serotypes of S. mutans. IMPORTANCE Although dental caries is largely preventable, it remains the most common and costly infectious disease worldwide. Caries is initiated by the presence of dental plaque biofilm that contains Streptococcus mutans, a species extensively characterized by its role in caries development and formation. S. mutans deploys an arsenal of strategies to establish itself within the oral cavity. One of them is the production of bacteriocins that confer a competitive advantage by targeting and killing closely related competitors. In this work, we found that mutacin B-Ny266 is a potent lantibiotic that is effective at killing a wide array of oral streptococci, including nearly all S. mutans strains tested. Lantibiotics produced by oral bacteria could represent a promising strategy to target caries pathogens embedded in dental plaque biofilm.

Biological factors in dental caries: role of saliva and dental plaque in the dynamic process of demineralization and remineralization (part 1)

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Hicks ◽  
Franklin Garcia-Godoy ◽  
Catherine Flaitz
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Phosphate Binding ◽  
Carbohydrate Ingestion

Dental caries is a complex disease process that afflicts a large proportion of the world's population, regardless of gender, age and ethnicity, although it does tend to affect more indivduals with a low socioeconomic status to a greater extent. The process of dental caries is dependent upon biological factors that are present within the saliva and dental plaque. There are many different agents within saliva and plaque that serve to protect the tooth surface against caries development. Salivary flow rate, buffering capacity, antimicrobial activity, microorganism aggregation and clearance from the oral cavity, immune surveillance, and calcium phosphate binding proteins all interact to inhibit or reverse demineralization of exposed tooth surfaces. Cariogenic bacteria levels within the saliva and plaque determine whether caries will occur or not, and the concentration in saliva and plaque are intimately related to the type of carbohydrate ingestion and the frequency of ingestion, as well as the oral hygiene practiced by the individual.

scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus mutans in heart valve and dental plaque specimens from a patient with infective endocarditis

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryota Nomura ◽  
Kazuhiko Nakano ◽  
Hirotoshi Nemoto ◽  
Kazuyo Fujita ◽  
Satoko Inagaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Heart Valve ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Oral Streptococci ◽  
Isolation And Characterization

Streptococcus mutans, known to be an aetiologic agent of dental caries, also causes infective endocarditis (IE), although a comparison of isolates from the oral cavity and infected heart valve of the same patient has not been reported. In the present study, infected heart valve and dental plaque samples from a patient with IE were analysed. Broad-range PCR with DNA sequencing revealed that 50 clones from the dental plaque isolates were composed of oral streptococci and periodontopathic bacteria, whereas only Streptococcus mutans was detected in 50 clones from the heart valve. Eighteen strains of Streptococcus mutans were isolated from dental plaque and seven from the heart valve, and the biochemical properties of each were in accordance with those of Streptococcus mutans. DNA fingerprinting analysis revealed that all the oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans had similar patterns, which were different from those of the isolates from the infected heart valve. Western blotting using glucosyltransferase (GTF)-specific antiserum showed that the seven strains from the heart valve lacked the three types of intact GTF. In addition, the sucrose-dependent adhesion rates of these isolates were significantly lower than those of the oral isolates (P<0.001). Furthermore, the isolates from the heart valve were less susceptible to erythromycin and kanamycin. These results indicate that the properties of the Streptococcus mutans strains isolated from the infected valve were different from those of typical oral strains, which may be related to the effects of IE.

scholarly journals Intranasal Immunization against Dental Caries with a Streptococcus mutans-Enriched Fimbrial Preparation

1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margherita Fontana ◽  
Ann J. Dunipace ◽  
George K. Stookey ◽  
Richard L. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Mucosal Vaccine ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Cholera Toxin B Subunit ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans has been identified as the major etiological agent of human dental caries. The first step in the initiation of infection by this pathogenic bacterium is its attachment (i.e., through bacterial surface proteins such as glucosyltransferases, P1, glucan-binding proteins, and fimbriae) to a suitable receptor. It is hypothesized that a mucosal vaccine against a combination ofS. mutans surface proteins would protect against dental caries by inducing specific salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies which may reduce bacterial pathogenesis and adhesion to the tooth surface by affecting several adhesins simultaneously. Conventional Sprague-Dawley rats, infected withS. mutans at 18 to 20 days of age, were intranasally immunized with a mixture of S. mutans surface proteins, enriched for fimbriae and conjugated with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) plus free cholera toxin (CT) at 13, 15, 22, 29, and 36 days of age (group A). Control rats were either not immunized (group B) or immunized with adjuvant alone (CTB and CT [group C]). At the termination of the study (when rats were 46 days of age), immunized animals (group A) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher salivary IgA and serum IgG antibody responses to the mixture of surface proteins and to whole bacterial cells than did the other two groups (B and C). No significant differences were found in the average numbers of recoveredS. mutans cells among groups. However, statistically fewer smooth-surface enamel lesions (buccal and lingual) were detected in the immunized group than in the two other groups. Therefore, a mixture of S. mutans surface proteins, enriched with fimbria components, appears to be a promising immunogen candidate for a mucosal vaccine against dental caries.

scholarly journals Uji Konsentrasi Hambat Minimum Ekstrak Daun Gedi (Abelmoschus manihot L.) terhadap Pertumbuhan Bakteri Streptococcus Mutans

e-GIGI ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen N. Sekeon ◽  
Heriyannis Homenta ◽  
Michael A. Leman
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Cariogenic Bacteria ◽  
Group Design

Abstract: Streptococcus mutans is the most common bacterium that causes dental caries due to its ability to ferment carbohydrates into acid resulting in the decreased pH on the tooth surface. Prevention of dental caries could be achieved by inhibiting the growth of cariogenic bacteria. Various efforts to control and prevent the cariogenic bacteria include the usage of herbal ingredients; one of them is gedi leaves (Abelmoschus manihot L.). These gedi leaves contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and saponins. This study was aimed to prove that gedi leaf extract had inhibitory effect on the growth of S.mutans and to obtain the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this extract on the growth of S. mutans. This was a true experimental design with a randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Gedi leaf extract was obtained by maceration method in 96% ethanol. The results showed that gedi leaf extract had an antibacterial effect on the growth of S. mutans. We used turbidimetry, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and two times of treatment to obtain the MIC of gedi leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans which was 6.25%. Conclusion: Gedi leaf extract could inhibit the growth of S. mutans with a MIC of 6.25%.Keywords: dental caries, gedi leaf extract (Abelmoschus manihot L.), Streptococcus mutans Abstrak: Streptococcus mutans merupakan bakteri yang paling banyak menyebabkan karies gigi karena bakteri ini berkemampuan memfermentasi karbohidrat menjadi asam yang berakibat turunnya pH pada permukaan gigi. Pencegahan karies gigi dapat dicapai dengan menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri kariogenik. Berbagai upaya dilakukan untuk mengen-dalikan dan mencegah bakteri kariogenik, antara lain dengan menggunakan bahan herbal; salah satunya yaitu tanaman gedi (Abelmoschus manihot L.). Daun gedi mengandung senyawa bioaktif antara lain flavonoid, alkaloid, steroid, dan saponin. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan efek inhibisi ekstrak daun gedi terhadap pertumbuhan S. mutans dan mendapatkan konsentrasi hambat minimum (KHM) ekstrak daun gedi terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri S. mutans. Jenis penelitian ini ialah eksperimental murni dengan randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Ekstrak daun gedi dibuat dengan metode maserasi dengan menggunakan etanol 96%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak daun gedi (Abelmoschus manihot L.) memiliki efek antibakteri dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri Streptococcus mutans. Dengan menggunakan metode turbidimetri dan spektrofotometer UV-Vis dalam 2 (dua) kali perlakuan maka diperoleh KHM ekstrak daun gedi (Abelmoschus manihot L.) terhadap bakteri Streptococcus mutans terdapat pada konsentrasi 6,25%. Simpulan: Ekstrak daun gedi dapat meghambat pertumbuhan Streptococcus mutans dengan KHM pada konsentrasi 6,25%.Kata kunci: karies gigi, ekstrak daun gedi (Abelmoschus manihot L.), Streptococcus mutans

scholarly journals Polymerase Chain Reaction for detection of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque of children from Cartagena, Colombia

2011 ◽  
pp. 430-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Eduardo Carmona ◽  
Niradiz Reyes ◽  
Farith González
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Oral Bacteria ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Streptococcus Sobrinus ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Carious Lesions ◽  
The Difference

Objectives: To detect the presence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque of children from Cartagena and correlate it to dental caries precavity stages, applying a standardized PCR-based technique for epidemiological purposes. Methods: Descriptive study using a non-probabilistic sample of 50 children between 3 and 5 years of age, preschoolers from a Caribbean population in Colombia. Criteria for selection were that children should exhibit plaque accumulations on the surface of the cervical margins of the rearmost molars, and placed in one of two study groups: carious lesions and sound surfaces. Dental plaque samples from both groups were subjected to molecular analysis and statistical analysis was applied to determine the difference between the two groups using the frequencies of presence of S. mutans, S. sobrinus or both in the two groups applying Fisher’s exact test for association between the presence of microorganisms and the state of the tooth surface from where the dental plaque was taken. Results: The frequency of S. mutans in carious lesions was 76% and 24% in healthy surfaces. The frequency of S. sobrinus in carious lesions was 81.9% and 18.1% in caries-free surfaces. There was statistical significance between the presence of S. mutans and the presence of caries (p=0.001) and between the presence of S. sobrinus (p=0.02) and the presence of caries. There was no statistical significance between the presence of caries and the simultaneous presence of both microorganisms (p=0.08). Conclusions: The presence of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in dental plaque samples is highly prevalent and associated to non cavitated carious lesions, being the molecular identification of these microorganisms by PCR a sensitive, fast, and easy to use detection method for the mutans group of oral bacteria.

Diagnosis and prevention of dental caries

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Deery ◽  
K.J. Toumba
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Enamel Surface ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Surface Phenomenon ◽  
Carious Lesion ◽  
Tooth Surfaces ◽  
Carious Process ◽  
Intact Surface ◽  
Micro Organisms

Almost all research on the process of dental caries supports the chemoparasitic theory proposed by W.D. Miller in 1890. This is now more commonly known as the acidogenic theory of caries aetiology. The main features of the caries process are as follows. 1. Fermentation of carbohydrate to organic acids by micro-organisms in plaque on the tooth surface. 2. Acid production, which lowers the pH at the enamel surface below the level (the critical pH) at which enamel will dissolve. 3. When carbohydrate is no longer available to the plaque microorganisms, the pH within plaque will rise because of the outward diffusion of acids and their metabolism and neutralization in plaque, so that remineralization of enamel can occur; 4. Dental caries progresses only when the balance between demineralization and remineralization favours the former. The realization that demineralization and remineralization are in equilibrium is key to understanding the dynamics of the carious lesion and its prevention. One of the interesting features of an initial carious lesion of the enamel is that the lesion is subsurface, i.e. most of the mineral loss occurs beneath a relatively intact enamel surface. This contrasts strongly with the histological appearance of enamel after a clean tooth surface has been exposed to acid, where the surface is etched and there is no subsurface lesion. This dissolution of the surface of enamel, or etching, is a feature of enamel erosion caused, among other things, by dietary acids. Therefore the carious process and erosion differ completely, as erosion is a surface phenomenon. The explanation for the intact surface layer in enamel caries seems to lie in diffusion dynamics: the layer of dental plaque on the tooth surface acts as a partial barrier to diffusion. Further erosion occurs at much lower pH values (pH <4) than caries. Dental plaque forms on uncleaned tooth surfaces and is readily apparent if toothbrushing is stopped for 2–3 days. Contrary to popular opinion, plaque does not consist of food debris, but is a biofilm; 70% is comprised of micro-organisms—about 100 million organisms per milligram of plaque. When plaque is young cocci predominate, but as plaque ages the proportions of filamentous organisms and veillonellae increase.

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