Antibacterial, antibiofilm and quorum sensing inhibitory activities of Clitoria ternatea anthocyanin against Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus mutans is known to be a major causative organism for dental caries and has ability for utilizing carbohydrate to organic acid. These bacteria could increase antibacterial resistance by colonizing tooth surface and form biofilm formation (dental plaque) that lead to the development of oral infectious diseases, such as caries, gingivitis and periodontal inflammation. Clitoria ternatea blue petal flower or locally known as kembang telang belongs to an Indonesian native plant originated from Ternate island in the Molucca archipelago. The flower is rich in anthocyanin pigments and has been reported for its pharmacological activities for treatment of microbial and parasitic infection. The goal of this research was to test antibacterial, antibiofilm, and quorum sensing inhibition activities of anthocyanin fraction extracted from C. ternatea blue petal flower (CTA) against oral bacteria S. mutans. Methods & Materials: CTA was isolated using solvent extraction and identified using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrimetry (py-GC/MS). Antibacterial activity of CTA (0.06-2 mg/ml) against S. mutans growth was done using broth microdilution method. Antibiofilm activity of CTA (0.06-2 mg/ml) for preventing S. mutans biofilm formation and eradicating the established S. mutans biofilm was quantified using crystal violet assay. Quorum sensing inhibition of CTA (0.06-2 mg/ml) was determined using Chromobacterium violaceum. Results: For antibacterial activity, CTA at lowest dose (0.06 mg/ml) effectively inhibited up to 70% of S. mutans growth. For antibiofilm system, CTA at 0.06 mg/ml significantly prevented S. mutans biofilm formation and eradicated the established biofilm compared to that of reference tetracycyline. For quorum sensing inhibition, CTA at 0.25 mg/ml effectively reduced up to 68% of violacein produced by C. violaceum. Conclusion: These results suggest that CTA may have therapeutic potentials for prevention and treatment of dental caries.