Dental Pathogens Research Articles

Nanodispersion of TiO2 in hypochlorous acid and its antimicrobial effect against oral pathogens

The continuous and inappropriate use of traditionally used antimicrobial agents has caused the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains and the mutation of microorganisms in the field of dentistry. Therefore, various nanoparticles have been developed to combat resistant pathogens. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have been attractive antimicrobial agents because of their chemical stability, non-toxicity, and inexpensive precursors. Therefore, TiO2-based nanodispersions were explored by preparing them with well-known antimicrobial agents, such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl), to enhance the antimicrobial effect. In this study, sol-gel-based TiO2 NPs-HOCl nanodispersions were synthesized and characterized. The antimicrobial effect was assessed by a microdilution assay using S. mutans, S. aureus, E. faecalis, and C. albicans strains by incubating different concentrations of the nanodispersions. To evaluate the cytotoxic effects, stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) were inoculated and evaluated using the MTT assay. The nanodispersion exhibited an enhanced antimicrobial effect, with almost no cytotoxicity. The HOCl-based nanodispersion exhibited a greater antimicrobial effect and high stability. Thus, it can be used as a promising antimicrobial agent for the treatment of various dental pathogens.

Evaluation and comparison of antibacterial efficacy of different concentrations of Chhattisgarh herbal product-Terminalia chebula fruit extract in opposition to Enterococcus faecalis: An invitro study.

Due to the low cost, natural origin, higher safety margins, and little to negligible adverse effects of herbal medications, the use of plants and plant derivatives in medicine is becoming increasingly widespread. Terminalia chebula is among the most significant medicinal plants in ayurvedic, siddha, unani, and homeopathic remedies. It is ranked first in Ayurvedic material medicine. T. chebula has been shown to have established effects against various bacterial and fungal infections, including dental caries pathogens. In recent years, there has been a rise in interest in dentistry and medicine related to Enterococcus faecalis. The research aimed to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of different concentrations of T. chebula ethanolic fruit extract (10%, 40%, and 100%) in opposition to E. faecalis and compare it with 2% chlorhexidine. For the study, T. chebula ethanolic fruit extracts were obtained and prepared with Group I: -10% concentration, Group II: -40% concentration, Group III: -100% concentration, and Group IV: -2% chlorhexidine. Colonies of E. faecalis were cultivated in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth at 37°C and were inoculated in 16 BHI agar plates. Then, on the petri dishes, four wells were created (8 mm diameter) using a metal borer. The Agar well diffusion method was used to examine the antibacterial activity, and the zones of inhibition around the wells were noted. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests. The result shows that as the concentration increases, there is an increase in the efficacy of the antibacterial property of the extract before it reaches the saturation point. The decreasing order of antibacterial was chlorhexidine >100% T. chebula >40% T. chebula >10% T. chebula. The production of contemporary pharmaceuticals from T. chebula was addressed, as the global scenario is currently evolving toward using nontoxic plant products with traditional medicinal benefits.

CULTURE-DEPENDENT APPROACHES AMONG THE CARIES PATHOGENS ISOLATED FROM THE CARIOUS DENTINE AND THEIR EMERGING DRUG RESISTANCE

Objective: To evaluate the commonest caries pathogens from different type of caries andto screen for the emergence of drug resistance among the caries causing pathogenic bacteria.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Microbiology. Sample Size was 44 and samples from carious dentine which was immediately transported to the microbiology laboratory. Samples were processed microbiologically to isolate the caries pathogens. Identification of strains were done by standard biochemical characterization studies. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity test. The results were recorded and analyzed for drug resistance.
 Results: Out of 44 patients, 40 aerobic bacteria, 2 anaerobic bacteria and 2 fungi were isolated. Out of the 40 aerobic bacteria, the most common isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae followed by Pseudomonas spp. and Streptococcus viridians. Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin and Linezolid showed excellent activity against Gram-positive Bacteria. The most frequently involved teeth of dental caries were mandibular 1st molar (54.54%) followed by Mandibular 2nd molar (13.63%).
 Conclusion: In our study we found that Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus viridians were the most frequent organisms encountered. The study implicates the need for time to time antimicrobial susceptibility examination of the dental caries pathogens that will help to prevent the emergence of resistance property among the dentinal pathogenic organisms.

IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIBIOFILM ACTIVITIES OF ULTRAFILTRATED-BROMELAIN AGAINST DENTAL CARIES PATHOGENS

Dental plaque on tooth surfaces significantly contributes to dental caries leading to acidic demineralization of the tooth enamel and dentin. This is mainly caused by the formation of pathogenic bacterial biofilm. Dental caries affects approximately 3.5 million people around the world. Compared to synthetic anticariogenic agents such as chlorohexidine, plant-based compounds were found to have fewer side effects and higher economic value. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the largely commercialized plants in Malaysia with beneficial attributes such as its Bromelain enzyme. This study aimed to purify Bromelain enzyme from MD2 pineapple core and to evaluate their antibacterial properties against dental caries-associate pathogens in vitro. This study evaluated the effect of Bromelain enzyme isolated from MD2 pineapple core using 50% Ammonium Sulphate precipitation incorporated with centrifugal ultrafiltration against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus casei. Bromelain enzyme showed effectivity of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for all cariogenic organisms. Ultrafiltrate Bromelain (UFB) enzyme had significant antibacterial activity against S.mutans with a MIC value of 250 μg/ml and complete susceptibility at an MBC value of 1000 μg/ml. Biofilm inhibition against S.mutans increased from 45.98% to 57.48% with ultrafiltration. A 3.25 purification fold increase was observed in the ultrafiltrate sample. In conclusion, the ultrafiltration technique is efficient in purifying Bromelain enzyme and effectively inhibits S. mutans biofilm formation and thus possesses a potential inhibitory effect on dental caries in vitro.

Eradication of dental pathogens using flavonoid rutin mediated silver-selenium nanoparticles

In this study, flavonoid rutin mediated silver-selenium nanoparticles(Rut-AgSeNPs) is biosynthesized and used to treat dental pathogens. The synthesized Rut-AgSeNPs was characterized using UV–visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy, and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). The particle size of Rut-AgSeNPs was found between 45 and 190 nm in diameter with spherical (AgNPs) and cylindrical (SeNPs) in shape. FTIR results show that the hydroxyl group of rutin has formed intramolecular hydrogen bonding with particles during the reduction and capping process. XRD pattern confirms the synthesized particles were appeared as crystalline (68.7%) and amorphous (31.3%) structure. Rut-AgSeNPs exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against dental pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans with the MIC value of 12.5 µg/mL, 8.2 µg/mL, 6.6 µg/mL and 2.1 µg/mL, respectively. The susceptibility of dental pathogens was found for Rut-AgSeNPs as follows: C. albicans < E. coli < S. aureus < S. mutans. CLSM image indicates that the Rut-AgSeNPs completely inhibits all the tested pathogens at 12.5 µg/mL. The present study suggests that the synthesized Rut-AgSeNPs might be an effective nanodrug to treat dental pathogens.

Synthesis of Metallo-Chromone Porphyrin Nano-Starch Sensitizers as Photodynamic Therapeutics for the Eradication of Enterococci Dental Pathogens.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an advanced, alternative, and promising treatment, can inhibit dental pathogens. PDT employs the activation of photosensitizers via the light of a particular wavelength and molecular oxygen to inhibit dental pathogens. Herein, we present a comprehensive study on the synthesis and characterization of three chromone-porphyrins [Zn(II)-5-[4-chromone]-15-(4-phenyl)porphyrin (ZnCP), 5-[4-chromone]-15-(4-12 phenyl)porphyrin (DMCP), and Pd(II)-5-[4-chromone]-15-(4-phenyl)porphyrin (PdCP)]. Next, the computational study was also performed to establish the correlation between photophysical properties and theoretical calculations for those chromone-porphyrins using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory. Furthermore, chromone-porphyrins were encapsulated in starch nanoparticles to develop soluble nano-starch sensitizers (ZnCP-SNPs, DMCP-SNPs, and PdCP-SNPs) via the nanoprecipitation technique. Upon green light exposure, these nano-starch sensitizers exhibited excellent singlet oxygen generation ability. Moreover, final nanoformulations have been explored for pH responsiveness. Based on our intriguing findings, the chromone-porphyrin-loaded nano-starch sensitizers displayed great potential as prospective PDT to treat enterococci dental pathogens.

Antimicrobial Therapeutic Strategies for Enterococcus faecalis In Dental Infections - Past, Present and Future

Abstract: Enterococcus faecalis is a common opportunistic pathogen that can infect various tissues in the human body and in particular, the oral cavity. It has been implicated in periodontal disease, oral mucosal lesions in immunocompromised patients, peri-implantitis, peri-radicular abscesses, and root canal infections. They are also most prevalent in secondary endodontic infections and are recognized as treatment-resistant bacteria in the root canal. Virulence factors help in this pathogenicity as some factors aid its adherence to the surface. It has become a research focus in recent times for its resistance to various antibiotics like vancomycin and so, the search for alternative therapeutic approaches has also evolved. Although various chemical irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), iodine potassium iodide (IKI), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) have been used for years, the use of plant extracts and essential oils have attracted the researchers to explore their activity against various dental pathogens like E. faecalis. Recently, it has been found that the phages are more effective in treating biofilm than antibiotics and it has also been observed that they are effective when used in combination with antibiotics. In this review, we have presented various treatment strategies that have been in use for treating dental infections and also discussed future therapeutic approaches, which, may help unfold promising novel strategies.

Antibiofilm Efficacies of Flavonoid-Rich Sweet Orange Waste Extract against Dual-Species Biofilms.

The current study evaluated the antibacterial properties of industrial sweet orange waste extracts (ISOWEs), which are a rich source of flavonoids. The ISOWEs exhibited antibacterial activity towards the dental cariogenic pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei with 13.0 ± 2.0 and 20.0 ± 2.0 mg/mL for MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and 37.7 ± 1.5 and 43.3 ± 2.1 mg/mL for MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration), respectively. When evaluated in a 7-day dual-species oral biofilm model, ISOWEs dose-dependently reduced the viable bacteria count, and demonstrated strong synergistic effects when combined with the anti-septic chlorhexidine (at 0.1 and 0.2%). Similarly, confocal microscopy confirmed the anti-cariogenic properties of ISOWEs, alone and in combination with chlorhexidine. The citrus flavonoids contributed differently to these effects, with the flavones (nobiletin, tangeretin and sinensetin) demonstrating significantly lower MICs and MBCs compared to the flavanones hesperidin and narirutin. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the potential of citrus waste as a currently underutilised source of flavonoids for antimicrobial applications, such as in dental health.

Evaluation of anti-microbial efficacy among Andrographis Paniculata and Mimusops Elengi on oral microflora: An Experimental in-vitro study.

Oral health is an essential non-integrated part of general health that plays a vital role in preventing chronic diseases. The oral cavity acts as a suitable environment for the proliferation of bacteria by forming a connecting link to invade the tissues through direct contact from outside. For the past few decades, there has been increased resistance of human pathogenic bacteria to the currently used antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis and fungal infection among different age groups. Hence, the search has shifted to traditional plants and natural products, which are a good alternative. To create oral hygiene solutions for the prevention of oral infections, several ayurvedic ingredients, including Andrographis paniculata and Mimusops elengi, have been tested for their effectiveness against dental pathogens. The present investigation's purpose is to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration-based antibacterial efficiency of Andrographis paniculata and Mimusops elengi against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Actinomyces and Candida albicans. Antimicrobial activity of herbal extracts was determined using the agar well diffusion method. Ethanolic extracts were prepared using a cold extraction method whereas Dimethyl sulfoxide and water were used as dissolution solvents. The diluted herbal extract sample was used as the test sample, while the positive control used was an antibiotic solution and the negative control used was dissolution solvents. The samples were implanted, the bacteria along with the culture media were incubated, and the zone of inhibition was measured. The Minimum inhibitory concentration and zones of inhibition of Andrographis Paniculata and Mimusops Elengi showed significant antibacterial efficacy when compared with standards. Andrographis Paniculata and Mimusops Elengi may be used as an efficient addition to conventional care in the management of oral disorders, according to their antimicrobial efficacy.

The implication of mitochondrial DNA mutation and dysfunction in periodontal diseases.

Periodontitis is a chronic oral inflammatory disease that is caused by dental plaque pathogens. Periodontal disease development and evolution are based on the host immune system, humoral and cellular immunity, the integrity of the tissues, and certain endocrine and nutritional factors. Mitochondria are significantly involved in periodontal infections and inflammation, which play a role in the inflammatory response in a variety of ways. In general, oxidative stress causes a stressful environment that subsequently leads to tissue damage and chronic inflammation. Several mutations and alterations in mitochondrial DNA lead the disease to an aggressive condition, by causing dysregulated mitochondrial function. Such mutations are significantly associated with various diseases. Numerous studies indicate chronic periodontitis patients have a decreased level of mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as adenosine triphosphate, and an increased level of reactive oxygen species production, which causes cell death in the periodontium and affects tissue growth. Further studies into the association between mitochondria and periodontitis might be helpful for the treatment and prevention of the diseases.

Dysbiosis of Oral Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Several previous studies have shown that oral microbial disorders may be closely related to the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, whether the function of oral microorganisms and their metabolites have changed in patients with T2DM who have not suffered from any oral diseases has not been reported. We performed metagenomic analyses and nontargeted metabolic analysis of saliva and supragingival plaque samples from patients with T2DM who have not suffered any oral diseases and normal controls. We found that periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella melaninogenica were significantly enriched, while the abundances of dental caries pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were not significantly different in patients with T2DM compared to those in normal controls. Metabolomic analyses showed that the salivary levels of cadaverine and L-(+)-leucine of patients with T2DM were significantly higher than those of normal controls, while the supragingival plaque levels of N-acetyldopamine and 3,4-dimethylbenzoic acid in patients with T2DM were significantly higher than those in the normal controls. Additionally, we identified the types of oral microorganisms related to the changes in the levels of circulating metabolites, and the oral microorganisms were involved in the dysregulation of harmful metabolites such as cadaverine and n, n-dimethylarginine. Overall, our study first described the changes in the composition of oral microorganisms and their metabolites in patients with T2DM who have not suffered any oral diseases, which will provide a direct basis for finding oral biomarkers for early warning of oral diseases in T2DM. IMPORTANCE The incidence of oral diseases in type 2 diabetic patients might increase, and the severity might also be more serious. At present, the relationship between oral microorganisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a hot topic in systemic health research. However, whether the function of oral microorganisms and their metabolites have changed in patients with T2DM who have not suffered from any oral diseases has not been reported. We found that even if the oral condition of T2DM is healthy, their oral microbes and metabolites have changed, thus increasing the risk of periodontal disease. Our study first described the changes in the composition of oral microorganisms and their metabolites in T2DM who have not suffered any oral diseases and revealed the correlation between oral microorganisms and their metabolites, which will provide a direct basis for finding oral biomarkers for early warning of oral diseases in patients with T2DM.

Evaluation of antimicrobial property of thymoquinone synthesized with black cumin hydroxyapatite crystals against dental pathogens - An Invitro study

Introduction: Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, black cumin, and/or Habbatul Barakah, is a medicinal herbal plant. Thymoquinone (TQ), one of Nigella sativa's active ingredients, has been shown to be anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is an inorganic mineral with the apatite lattice structure (A10(BO4)6C2). The aim of the current study is to incorporate thymoquinone with blackcumin hydroxyapatite crystals to form a new nanoformulation and to find out its cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties against dental pathogens. Materials and method: Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans were the species used. The antimicrobial efficacy of the nanoparticles was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method at different concentrations ranging from 25 micron litres to 100 micron litres. UV double beam spectrophotometers in the wavelength range of 250-750nm were used to characterise the synthesised nanoparticles. Results: The zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus mutans and Candida albicans was found to be highest at 100 L concentration. As the concentrations of new nano formulation solution increased, the mean zone of inhibition grew. Conclusion: The study showed that there is potential antimicrobial property of the new nano formulation against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus also there is antifungal activity against Candida albicans

Metabolism-independent phenomenon in ethanolic propolis inhibitory capacity towards enterococcus spp proteolytic activity

Background: Root canal bacteria produce many virulence factors which are responsible for endodontic pathological states. Bacteria are assumed to utilize energy from bacterial cell metabolism activity for producing these virulence factors. Propolis extracts are commonly reported to have antibacterial abilities against dental pathogens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible correlation between bacterial proteolytic and metabolism activities under the treatment of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP).Method: The 0.00125%; 0.05%; 0.1%; 0.2%; 0.4%; and 0.8% ethanolic propolis were prepared for recovery rate confirmative procedure, proteolytic, and metabolism activity assay, with 2% of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) was used as a positive control. The bacteria were cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) media after EEP treatment. Bacterial suspension was initially prepared in broth culture dilution with BHI media, followed by the gelatin liquefaction measurement for proteolytic assay. Phenol-red and arginine dehydrogenase enriched media for observing both carbohydrate and arginine metabolism activities, respectively, in the clinical Enterococcus spp. and E. faecalis ATCC 29212.Result: The recovery rate of the bacteria was not terminated after several EEP treatments. Proteolytic activity of the bacteria was likely decreased in several EEP treatments. EEP tended to affect the carbohydrate and arginine metabolism of the bacteria in certain fashions.Conclusion: This study suggested that the EEP treatment affected both proteolytic and metabolism activity in negative regulation tendencies.

Probiotic curd as antibacterial agent against pathogens causing oral deformities - in vitro microbiological study.

Major oral deformities fall under dental caries and periodontal diseases hence active prevention of these two diseases can contribute to good oral health and preserves oral hygiene. Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus, Candida, and anaerobic organisms are the organisms responsible for causing oral cavity-related deformities. Probiotics which is the useful and nonpathogenic bacteria are added to food products which tend to be advantageous to human health. A wide range of studies indicates that these probiotics are useful against oral tissues. Hence, the primary goal of the study aims to determine the antibacterial potential of probiotic curd against pathogens causing various oral diseases and deformities. A laboratory-oriented in vitro microbiological study design was framed to detect the antimicrobial potential of the probiotic curd. Subgingival calculus specimens were collected and anaerobic organisms were isolated in thioglycollate broth. Lawn cultures were subjected to the surface of brain heart infusion agar and 100 μl of probiotic curd, normal curd, and filtrate were taken in a micropipette and inoculated over the specific wells. The culture plates were incubated anaerobically at 37°C for 24 h. The culture plates were monitored for the zone of inhibition to assess the antibacterial activity against the test pathogens. The results showed that there was no antibacterial activity against the anaerobic bacteria cultivated from subgingival calculus. However, further validation must be done on the same with purified components from the probiotic curd. Probiotic curd is normally considered a vital immune-boosting nutritional supplement. However, the antibacterial activity must be evaluated with care with the purified filtrates of the curd to substantiate its exact role against dental pathogens.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of Brazilian Green Propolis Aqueous Extract against Dental Anaerobic Bacteria.

Green propolis may represent a promising therapeutic alternative against dental anaerobic pathogens because of its antimicrobial action. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm actions of Brazilian green propolis aqueous extract (BGP-AqExt) against dental anaerobic bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicide concentration (MMC) of the extract were determined against the standard strains (ATCC) of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas endodontalis. BGP-AqExt was chemically characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Antibiofilm action was measured by MTT and crystal violet tests. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey (5%) tests. The extract had antimicrobial action against all tested anaerobic bacteria, with an MIC value of 55 mg/mL for all bacteria, an MMC of 27.5 mg/mL for F. nucleatum and P. micra and 55 mg/mL for P. intermedia. Chemically, BGP-AqExt is composed of quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic and p-coumaric acid, drupani, kaempferol and Artepillin C. Significant reductions in biomass and metabolic action of biofilms were found after BGP-AqExt application. Therefore, BGP-AqExt has an antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect against dental anaerobic bacteria.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Synthetic Lawsone Derivatives Containing N-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazole Against Dental Caries Pathogens

Objective: Presently, one of the most common oral diseases is dental caries, which is a biofilm-mediated disease. Lawsone methyl ether (LME) has shown promising antibacterial activity due to its 1,4-napthoquinone structure. Recently, a 1,2,3-triazole scaffold has been used in the structural modification of potential antimicrobial agents. To develop novel anticaries agents, the structure modification of 1,4-napthoquinone with N-substituted 1,2,3-triazole, therefore, may be a candidate. Material and Methods: LME was used as a lead compound, and three new lawsone derivatives were prepared by two-step reactions. Their antimicrobial effects against three dental caries pathogens; including S. mutans, L. casei, and A. naeslundii were investigated, using the microdilution technique (0.78-100 μg/mL). A growth curve assay was performed to assess the effects of compounds on the growth kinetics of bacteria. Moreover, the effect of synthetic lawsone derivatives on the biofilm formation of S. mutans was also evaluated by crystal violet assay. Results: Overall, S. mutans was most sensitive to lawsone derivatives (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)=1.56- 50 μg/mL), followed by A. naeslundii and L. casei: corresponding to their growth curves. Lawsone derivatives, at the concentration of 1/2 MIC and 1/4 MIC, inhibited 12-hour S. mutans biofilm formation by 86.0-98.0%. The inhibitory effect decreased with decreasing concentrations and increasing incubation times. Conclusion: Synthetic lawsone derivatives have an inhibitory effect on the growth of three tested cariogenic bacteria, and the biofilm formation of S. mutans. The compounds exhibited anti-cariogenic bacterial strains and satisfying antibiofilm formation effects on S. mutans.

The findings of glucosyltransferase enzymes derived from oral streptococci

Glucosyltransferase enzymes (Gtfs) distribute among some streptococcal species in oral cavity and are known as key enzymes contributing to the development of oral biofilm such as dental plaque. In 18 streptococcal species, 45 glucosyltransferase genes (gtf) are detected from genome database. Gtfs catalyze the synthesis of the glucans, which are polymers of glucose, from sucrose and they are main component of oral biofilm. Especially, the Gtfs from Streptococcus mutans are recognized as one of dental caries pathogens since they contribute to the formation of dental plaque and the establishment of S. mutans in the tooth surface. Therefore, Gtfs has been studied particularly by many researchers in the dentistry field to develop the anti- caries vaccine. However, it is not still accomplished. In these days, the phylogenetic and crystal structure analyses of Gtfs were performed and the study of Gtfs will enter new situation from the technique in the past old viewpoint. The findings from those analyses will affect the development of the anti-caries vaccine very much after this. In this review, we summarize the findings of oral streptococcal Gtfs and consider the perspectives of the dental caries prevention which targeted Gtf.

In vitro antibacterial effect of Pimpinella anisum essential oil on Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Pimpinellaanisum is a medicinal plant with antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-oxidative properties. Limited studies have assessed the antibacterial properties of Pimpinellaanisum on oral and dental pathogens.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Bee Venom against some Dental pathogens

Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Bee Venom against some Dental pathogens

Copper functionalized poly (acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) nanohydrogel: Its antibacterial properties on oral pathogens and biocompatibility

Although extensive efforts have been made to explore effective antibiotics, the development of antibiotics lags far behind the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial materials as an alternative strategy provide effective functions in aiding in relieving the dose of antibiotics. Herein, we report a novel antibacterial agent with high antibacterial effectivity and low toxicity, which is simply composed of a trace amount of Cu2+ ion and nanoscale biocompatible polymer poly (acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) (PAI-Cu). The polymer shows greatly enhanced antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens compared with equal concentrations of copper ion solution, yet shows nearly no toxicity towards human cells. The antibacterial performance and mechanism of copper ionized polymer hydrogel are evaluated in terms of multiple methods, towards various oral bacteria including Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Actinomycetes viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Prevotella intermedia. Bacterial cell membrane and wall damage caused by PAI-Cu nanohydrogel should be regarded as an important antibacterial mechanism. Moreover, PAI-Cu nanohydrogel, as the role of catalytic active center, can activate the surrounding oxygen, and generate hydroxyl radical (·OH), which can destroy the proliferation ability of microbial cells. We suggest that PAI-Cu nanohydrogel is a promising antibacterial agent against dental pathogens and beyond.