Abstract
BackgroundDental caries is considered a multifactorial disease, in which microorganisms play an important role. The diet is decisive in the biofilm formation because it provides the necessary resources for cellular growth and exopolysaccharides synthesis. Exopolysaccharides are the main components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM provides a 3D structure, support for the microorganisms and form diffusion-limited environments (acidic niches) that cause demineralization of the dental enamel. Streptococcus mutans is the main producer of exopolysaccharides. Candida albicans is detected together with S. mutans in biofilms associated with severe caries lesions. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of tt-farnesol and myricetin topical treatments on cariogenic biofilms formed by Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.MethodsIn vitro dual-species biofilms were grown on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs, using tryptone-yeast extract broth with 1% sucrose (37 °C, 5% CO2). Twice-daily topical treatments were performed with: vehicle (ethanol 15%, negative control), 2 mM myricetin, 4 mM tt-farnesol, myricetin + tt-farnesol, myricetin + tt-farnesol + fluoride (250 ppm), fluoride, and chlorhexidine digluconate (0.12%; positive control). After 67 h, biofilms were evaluated to determine biofilm biomass, microbial population, and water-soluble and -insoluble exopolysaccharides in the ECM.ResultsOnly the positive control yielded a reduced quantity of biomass and microbial population, while tt-farnesol treatment was the least efficient in reducing C. albicans population. The combination therapy myricetin + farnesol + fluoride significantly reduced water-soluble exopolysaccharides in the ECM (vs. negative control; p < 0.05; ANOVA one-way, followed by Tukey’s test), similarly to the positive control.ConclusionsTherefore, the combination therapy negatively influenced an important virulence trait of cariogenic biofilms. However, the concentrations of both myricetin and tt-farnesol should be increased to produce a more pronounced effect to control these biofilms.
Highlights
Dental caries is considered a multifactorial disease, in which microorganisms play an important role
Dental caries represents one of the most prevalent human diseases worldwide and is becoming a worrying public health problem [1,2,3]. It is a chronic disease characterized by localized demineralization of dental structures, caused by microbial metabolic products, organic acids coming from dental plaque
This study evaluated the effect of tt-farnesol and myricetin on S. mutans and C. albicans dual-species biofilm, especially on exopolysaccharides found in the extracellular matrix (ECM)
Summary
Dental caries is considered a multifactorial disease, in which microorganisms play an important role. Dental caries represents one of the most prevalent human diseases worldwide and is becoming a worrying public health problem [1,2,3] It is a chronic disease characterized by localized demineralization of dental structures, caused by microbial metabolic products, organic acids coming from dental plaque (oral biofilm). The ECM provides a threedimensional (3D) structure and increases acidic niches that restrict the access of buffering saliva [6,7,8]. Preventing such biofilm formation is paramount to prevent dental caries occurrence
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