Antibacterial Activity of Boswellia sacra Flueck. Oleoresin Extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis Periodontal Pathogen.

Nashwah G M Attallah,Walaa A Negm,Engy Elekhnawy,Elshaymaa I Elmongy,Najla Altwaijry,Thanaa A El-Masry,Malak Y Shoukheba,Doaa A Yousef,Eman A Alturki

doi:10.3390/antibiotics10070859

Abstract

Boswellia sacra Flueck. oleoresin extract (frankincense) has traditionally been used in the treatment of different diseases, but there are no sufficient studies on its potential activity against periodontal pathogens. Therefore, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of frankincense extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis clinical isolates were studied. The phytochemical composition of the volatile components of the extract was identified by GC-MS analysis revealing 49 compounds as trans-nerolidyl formate, cycloartenol acetate, ursenoic acid 3-oxomethyl ester, bisabolene epoxide, and kaur-16-ene. It decreased the growth and increased the leakage of nucleotides in 58.3% and 33.3% of isolates, respectively. Additionally, it reduced the extracellular polysaccharide production and the cell surface hydrophobicity in 41.67% and 50% of the isolates, respectively. Crystal violet assay revealed inhibition of biofilm formation by the tested isolates. Light microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to examine the biofilms and they confirmed the reduction of biofilm formation by frankincense extract. Downregulation of the genes linked to biofilm formation (fimA, hagA, and hagB) was observed using qRT-PCR after treatment with the frankincense extract. This study suggested that the frankincense extract could exhibit antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against P. gingivalis isolates. Thus, the frankincense extract could be used as a treatment approach for periodontitis.

Highlights

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Pathogenic bacteria have many virulence features, such as enzymes, toxins, fimbriae, and capsules that decrease the host response via producing tissue breakdown, impeding tissue healing and weakening the host defense [1,2]
This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of Boswellia sacra Flueck. oleoresin extract against the periodontal pathogen, P. gingivalis, and exploring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) that could be used while treating periodontal infections
The frankincense extract displayed antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis isolates and this could be attributed to the variety of active compounds identified in this extract

Summary

Introduction

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Pathogenic bacteria have many virulence features, such as enzymes, toxins, fimbriae, and capsules that decrease the host response via producing tissue breakdown, impeding tissue healing and weakening the host defense [1,2]. One of the important virulence factors of P. gingivalis is the type I fimbriae (FimA) which could be a mediator for both biofilm formation and adherence to epithelial cells of the gingiva. It can produce an inflammatory response [7]. Gingipains are involved in the destruction of the periodontal tissues through the breakdown of the proteins responsible for the cellular adhesion to epithelial and endothelial cells. This proteolytic activity could result in cell death with compromising the tissue integrity and enhanced bacterial spreading [9]

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