Biofilm Reduction Research Articles

Exploring the Potential of Probiotics in Dentistry: A Literature Review

To describe the scientific literature on the uses and application of probiotics in dentistry. An electronic search was carried out without date restriction in the PubMed and Scopus databases. The articles were compiled, and their characteristics, objectives and methods were studied using the following keywords: "probiotics", "S. mutans", "oral health", "biofilm", among others. For the present literature review, 10 studies were chosen that investigate the probiotic action of certain strains such as Lactobaccillus and Bifidobacterium in periodontal and orthodontic treatments, among others. These studies proved their efficacy in different types of presentations such as tablets and yogurt, in different types of populations such as infants, young people and older adults. Finally, a large part of these studies determined biofilm reduction. Based on the research articles, strains such as Lactobaccillus and Bifidobacterium showed positive effects in the reduction of bacterial plaque such as S. mutans in short- and long-term periods in different populations. There is a large production of studies concerning the application of probiotics in dentistry. However, it is necessary to carry out studies with other types of bacteria and different vehicles to determine more precisely which species help to maintain oral health.

A normalized parameter for comparison of biofilm dispersants in vitro

Dispersal of infectious biofilms increases bacterial concentrations in blood. To prevent sepsis, the strength of a dispersant should be limited to allow the immune system to remove dispersed bacteria from blood, preferably without antibiotic administration. Biofilm bacteria are held together by extracellular polymeric substances that can be degraded by dispersants. Currently, comparison of the strength of dispersants is not possible by lack of a suitable comparison parameter. Here, a biofilm dispersal parameter is proposed that accounts for differences in initial biofilm properties, dispersant concentration and exposure time by using PBS as a control and normalizing outcomes with respect to concentration and time. The parameter yielded near-identical values based on dispersant-induced reductions in biomass or biofilm colony-forming-units and appeared strain-dependent across pathogens. The parameter as proposed is largely independent of experimental methods and conditions and suitable for comparing different dispersants with respect to different causative strains in particular types of infection.

The effect of root canal preparation tapers on planktonic bacteria and biofilm reduction in the apical third: A correlative microtomography and microbiological laboratory study.

To evaluate the influence of different preparation tapers on the reduction in planktonic bacteria and biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in the apical third (4 mm) of the mesial roots of mandibular molars, correlating decontamination with canal shape. After microtomography analysis for morphological standardization of the canals, 48 mandibular molar roots, each containing two canals (96 canals), were contaminated with E. faecalis and C. albicans and divided into four groups (n = 11) for canal instrumentation using ProDesign Logic 2 files with different tapers G (.03): # 25.03; G (.04): # 25.04; G (.05): # 25.05; and G (.06): # 25.06 and irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Four roots were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to qualitatively assess biofilm formation. Eight roots were used as the negative control group (samples were not contaminated). Bacteriological samples were taken exclusively from the apical third of the roots before and after chemical-mechanical preparation and bacterial counts were determined (CFU/mL). The final micro-CT scan was used to quantify the volume variation and unprepared canal area in the apical third. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Student-Newman-Keuls and Wilcoxon tests for analysis of microbiological data. anova and the Tukey or Games-Howell test were used for analysis of micro-CT data and Spearman's test for correlations (α = 5%). All groups showed a significant reduction in bacteria (p < .05), with no statistically significant difference between groups. There was no significant difference in per cent volume increase between groups. The unprepared area (Δ%) was affected by the file used (p = .026) and was significantly lower for G (.06) compared to G (.03). There was no statistically significant correlation among bacterial reduction, volume and unprepared area (p > .05). The different preparation tapers influenced root canal shaping in the apical third but did not improve decontamination in this region.

Imidazolium-Based Main-Chain Copolymers With Alternating Sequences for Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Activity and Eradication of Bacterial Biofilms.

In response to the escalating challenge of bacterial drug resistance, the imperative to counteract planktonic cell proliferation and eliminate entrenched biofilms underscores the necessity for cationic polymeric antibacterials. However, limited efficacy and cytotoxicity challenge their practical use. Here, novel imidazolium-based main-chain copolymers with imidazolium (PIm+) as the cationic component are introduced. By adjusting precursor molecules, hydrophobicity and cationic density of each unit are fine-tuned, resulting in broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against clinically relevant pathogens. PIm+1 stands out for its potent antibacterial performance, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 32µg mL-1 against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and substantial biofilm reduction in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) biofilms. The bactericidal mechanism involves disrupting the outer and cytoplasmic membranes, depolarizing the cytoplasmic membrane, and triggering intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Collectively, this study postulates the potential of imidazolium-based main-chain copolymers, systematically tailored in their sequences, to serve as a promising candidate in combatting drug-resistant bacterial infections.

BolA promotes the generation of multicellular behavior in S. typhimurium by regulating the c-di-GMP pathway genes yeaJ and yhjH

The generation of multicellular behavior enhances the stress adaptability, antibiotic resistance, and pathogenic potential of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium), which is challenging for its prevention and control. Therefore, determination of the mechanism of multicellular behavior development is urgently required. Accordingly, this study investigated BolA, a transcription factor that promotes bacterial survival under different stresses. We found that BolA promoted the generation of multicellular behavior. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that BolA affected the expression of numerous genes, including biofilm formation and motility-related genes. In terms of biofilm formation, compared with the wild-type strain, bolA overexpression (269BolA+) increased the extracellular matrix content (extracellular polysaccharide, extracellular protein, and extracellular DNA (eDNA) by upregulating gene expression, ultimately increasing the biofilm formation ability by 2.56 times. For motility, bolA overexpression inhibited the expression of flagella synthesis genes, resulting in a 91.15 % decrease in motility compared with the wild-type (6 h). Further mechanistic analysis demonstrated that BolA affected the expression of the C-di-GMP pathway genes yeaJ and yhjH, which influenced the generation of multicellular behavior. In terms of biofilms, the extracellular polysaccharide content of 269BolA + ∆Yeaj (bolA overexpression and yeaJ deletion) was reduced by 89.91 % compared with 269BolA+, resulting in a 71.1 % reduction in biofilm forming ability. The motility of the 269∆BolA∆Yhjh (bolA/yhjH double deletion) strain was significantly decreased compared with that of 269∆BolA. Finally, the LacZ gene reporting showed that BolA promoted and inhibited the expression of yeaJ and yhjH, respectively. In conclusion, BolA mainly improves the content of extracellular polysaccharide by promoting the expression of yeaJ, thus enhancing the formation of biofilms. BolA also restricts flagellar synthesis by inhibiting yhjH expression, therefore reducing motility, ultimately promoting multicellular behavior arises. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of S. typhimurium.

Effectiveness of mechanical and chemical decontamination methods for the treatment of dental implant surfaces affected by peri-implantitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess which decontamination method(s) used for the debridement of titanium surfaces (disks and dental implants) contaminated with bacterial, most efficiently eliminate bacterial biofilms. A systematic search was conducted in four electronic databases between January 1, 2010and October 31, 2022. The search strategy followed the PICOS format and included only in vitro studies completed on either dental implant or titanium disk samples. The assessed outcome variable consisted of the most effective method(s)-chemical or mechanical- removing bacterial biofilm from titanium surfaces. A meta-analysis was conducted, and data was summarized through single- and multi-level random effects model (p < .05). The initial search resulted in 5260 articles after the removal of duplicates. After assessment by title, abstract, and full-text review, a total of 13 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Different decontamination methods were assessed, including both mechanical and chemical, with the most common method across studies being chlorhexidine (CHX). Significant heterogeneity was noted across the included studies. The meta-analyses only identified a significant difference in biofilm reduction when CHX treatment was compared against PBS. The remaining comparisons did not identify significant differences between the various decontamination methods. The present results do not demonstrate that one method of decontamination is superior in eliminating bacterial biofilm from titanium disk and implant surfaces.

Steroidal hydrazones as antimicrobial agents: biological evaluation and molecular docking studies

ABSTRACT Most of pharmaceutical agents display several or even many biological activities. It is obvious that testing even one compound for thousands of biological activities is a practically not reasonable task. Therefore, computer-aided prediction is the method of choice for the selection of the most promising bioassays for particular compounds. Using PASS Online software, we determined the probable antimicrobial activity of the 31 steroid derivatives. Experimental testing of the antimicrobial activity of the tested compounds by microdilution method confirmed the computational predictions. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans biofilm formation was investigated. Compound 11 showed a biofilm reduction by 42.26% at the MIC of the tested compound. The percentages are lower than ketoconazole, but very close to its activity.

Cryptocarya moschata extract decreases single and mixed biofilms on acrylic resins.

This study proposed to assess the effect of Cryptocarya moschata extract on single and mixed biofilms formed on denture base and reline acrylic resin. Single and mixed biofilms of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans were formed on the samples and treated with C. moschata extract; Nystatin solution at 100,000 IU/mL or Penicillin antibiotic solution at 100,000 IU/mL; or PBS solution. Antimicrobial activity was analyzed by counting colony-forming units, metabolism assay, assessment of protein components of the biofilm matrix, and of cell viability using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's post-test (α = 0.05). Cryptocarya moschata extract reduced cell viability of C. albicans and S. mutans single and mixed biofilms formed on samples. For all types of biofilms in the C. moschata group, there was a log reduction of the biofilm, proven by the Alamar Blue assay. Analyzing the extracellular matrix protein components, groups treated with the extract exhibited a lower level of fluorescence compared to the PBS groups. Reduction in thickness biofilm and viable cells was perceptible in the C. moschata group when assessing through CLSM. Cryptocarya moschata extract reduced the single and mixed biofilms of C. albicans and S. mutans on acrylic resins.

In Vitro Assessment of Antifungal and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Commercial Mouthwashes against Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is the most critical fungus causing oral mycosis. Many mouthwashes contain antimicrobial substances, including antifungal agents. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro activity of 15 commercial mouthwashes against 12 strains of C. albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs), and anti-biofilm activity were studied. MICs were determined by the micro-dilution method using 96-well plates, and MFCs were determined by culturing MIC suspensions on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Anti-biofilm activity was evaluated using the crystal violet method. The mouthwashes containing octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT; mean MICs 0.09-0.1%), chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX; MIC 0.12%), and CHX with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC; MIC 0.13%) exhibited the best activity against C. albicans. The active compound antifungal concentrations were 0.5-0.9 µg/mL for OCT products and 1.1-2.4 µg/mL for CHX rinses. For mouthwashes with CHX + CPC, concentrations were 1.56 µg/mL and 0.65 µg/mL, respectively. Products with polyaminopropyl biguanide (polyhexanide, PHMB; MIC 1.89%) or benzalkonium chloride (BAC; MIC 6.38%) also showed good anti-Candida action. In biofilm reduction studies, mouthwashes with OCT demonstrated the most substantial effect (47-51.1%). Products with CHX (32.1-41.7%), PHMB (38.6%), BAC (35.7%), Scutellaria extract (35.6%), and fluorides + essential oils (33.2%) exhibited moderate antibiofilm activity. The paper also provides an overview of the side effects of CHX, CPC, and OCT. Considering the in vitro activity against Candida albicans, it can be inferred that, clinically, mouthwashes containing OCT are likely to offer the highest effectiveness. Meanwhile, products containing CHX, PHMB, or BAC can be considered as promising alternatives.

The interplay of low H2O2 doses, lytic cyanophage, and Microcystis aeruginosa: Implications for cyanobacterial bloom control and microcystin production/release

Low H2O2 doses can suppress cyanobacterial blooms without damaging non-target species but enable undesirable regrowth. Besides, the role of cyanophage in preventing regrowth after low H2O2 exposure remains unclear. Applying phages to cyanobacteria pre-exposed to low H2O2 in early growth stages may improve host removal and reduce microcystin (MC) production/release. Lytic cyanophage MDM-1 with a 172 PFU/cell burst size, 2-day short latent period against MCs-producing Microcystis, shows high H2O2 stability. Low H2O2 (1 to 2.5 mg/L) doses significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited Microcystis aeruginosa growth rate, biofilm and MCs concentration reduction in a dose-dependent manner but regrowth occurred at all concentrations. Phage treatment eliminated cells without H2O2 pretreatment within 3 days and reduced MC production. H2O2-pretreated M. aeruginosa cells altered the phage dynamics, affecting adsorption, latency, production, and cell lysis in response to H2O2-induced oxidative stress. At 1.5 mg H2O2/L pretreatment, cells were eliminated with reduced MC production, like untreated cells. H2O2 pretreatment with 2.0 and 2.5 mg/L resulted in an extension of the phage absorption phase and the latent period. This was accompanied by a reduction in lysis efficacy, attributed to the increased ROS production. At 2.5 mg H2O2/L, 17.10 % of phages remain un-adsorbed, with cell lysis rate dropped from 0.89 d−1 to 0.26 d−1 compared to the untreated control. The highest phage titer (70 %) was obtained with 1.5 mg/H2O2 pretreated cells. This study emphasizes that low-dose H2O2 eliminates Microcystis but severely affects phage lysis and MCs release depending on H2O2-induced ROS levels. It is a crucial consideration when using phages to control cyanobacterial blooms with H2O2-induced stress.

Characterization of Salmonella ser. Enteritidis-specific bacteriophages and biocontrol strategy to reduce S. Enteritidis on egg products using bacteriophages and essential oil compounds

Salmonella contamination of egg products is a major concern in the poultry industry. This study aimed to characterize newly isolated lytic Salmonella bacteriophages and evaluate the efficacy of Salmonella ser. Enteritidis biofilm reduction using a selected phage (CAU-SEP-3 at 100 MOI), essential oil (EO) compounds (thymol [Thy] and geraniol [Ger]) at 1 × MIC, and the combination of phage and EO compounds on food-contact materials (stainless steel [SS] and polypropylene [PP]) and quail eggs (at 4 and 25 °C). On both the coupons and eggshells, the combination treatment reduced Salmonella biofilms more effectively than either of the single treatments, and no differences in texture were detected after the combination treatment on quail eggs compared with the control. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis and three-dimensional imaging using COMSTAT provided visualization of biofilm reduction. Gene expression levels were compared using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, indicating that the combination treatment was the most effective in reducing the avrA, hilA, rpoH, rpoS, sefA, and spvR gene expression levels. A DNAPlotter image of CAU-SEP-3 was generated based on genome sequencing data, revealing that 35 (17.6%) proteins were predicted to be functional proteins, while 147 (82.4%) were annotated as hypothetical proteins. This study demonstrates that the combination of phage and EO compounds is potentially effective in inactivating S. Enteritidis biofilms; furthermore, it may contribute to the safety of future production and processing of eggs.

HOCl-producing electrochemical bandage for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected murine wounds.

The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens necessitates the development of alternative antimicrobial approaches. This is particularly true for chronic wound infections, which commonly harbor biofilm-dwelling bacteria. A novel electrochemical bandage (e-bandage) delivering low-levels of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa murine wound biofilms. 5 mm skin wounds were created on the dorsum of mice and infected with 106 colony-forming units (CFU) of P. aeruginosa. Biofilms were formed over 2 days, after which e-bandages were placed on the wound beds and covered with Tegaderm. Mice were administered Tegaderm-only (control), non-polarized e-bandage (no HOCl production), or polarized e-bandage (using an HOCl-producing potentiostat), with or without systemic amikacin. Purulence and wound areas were measured before and after treatment. After 48 hours, wounds were harvested for bacterial quantification. Forty-eight hours of polarized e-bandage treatment resulted in mean biofilm reductions of 1.4 log10 CFUs/g (P = 0.0107) vs non-polarized controls and 2.2 log10 CFU/g (P = 0.004) vs Tegaderm-only controls. Amikacin improved CFU reduction in Tegaderm-only (P = 0.0045) and non-polarized control groups (P = 0.0312) but not in the polarized group (P = 0.3876). Compared to the Tegaderm-only group, there was less purulence in the polarized group (P = 0.009). Wound closure was neither impeded nor improved by either polarized or non-polarized e-bandage treatment. Concurrent amikacin did not impact wound closure or purulence. In conclusion, an HOCl-producing e-bandage reduced P. aeruginosa in wound biofilms with no impairment in wound healing, representing a promising antibiotic-free approach for addressing wound infection.

Size-Controlled Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Tethering Antimicrobial Peptides with Potent Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities.

New antimicrobials are urgently needed to combat the rising global health concern of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one of the leading candidates as new antimicrobials since they target bacterial membranes and are therefore less prone to bacterial resistance. However, poor enzymatic stability, high production costs, and toxicity are drawbacks that limit their clinical use. Conjugation of AMPs to gold nanoparticles (NPs) may help to improve enzymatic stability and, thus, their overall antimicrobial efficiency. We did a one-pot synthesis of size-controlled (10 nm) gold NPs selectively conjugated to lipopeptides and determined their antibacterial activity. The conjugates exhibited potent (0.13-1.25 μM) antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates, including Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC33593, Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) CTX-M-14, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa LESB58 and Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC19606, and showed promising activity (90% inhibition of initial biofilms and 80% reduction of preformed biofilms) against S. aureus and E. coli DH5α biofilms at low micromolar concentrations. The conjugates were stable in rat serum and not toxic to representative mammalian cell lines in vitro (≤64 μM) and in vivo (≤100 μM).

The Effect of Citric and Ascorbic Acids as Anti-Biofilm and Anti-Capsular Agents on Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Objective: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic bacterium with multiple virulence factors, including capsule and biofilm, and is known for its high drug resistance. Anti-virulence natural substances have been suggested as novel alternatives to conventional antibiotics. We aimed to evaluate the effect of citric and ascorbic acids as anti-biofilm and anti-capsular agents against multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii clinical isolates. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight A. baumannii MDR isolates were collected from different clinical sources. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each agent was estimated. Biofilm formation and capsule were investigated phenotypically in the absence and presence of both agents at ½ and ¼ MICs. The presence of 14 adhesive and nonadhesive virulence genes was investigated. Results: Phenotypically, all the isolates were biofilm producers and were capsulated. The MIC of citric acid ranged from 1.25 to 2.5 mg/mL, while that of ascorbic acid was 3 mg/mL for all isolates. Both agents showed significant reduction in biofilm and capsular thinning. Ascorbic acid showed a dose-dependent effect in both biofilm reduction and capsule thinning unlike citric acid. Four genes, papG23, sfa1, fyuA, and cvaC, were absent among all isolates, while iutA was present in 100% of isolates. Other genes showed different distributions among the isolates. These virulence genes were not correlated to the anti-biofilm effect of both agents. Ascorbic acid was observed to have a better effect than citric acid. This can provide a clue for a better treatment regimen including ascorbic acid against MDR A. baumannii infections.

Mechanisms of action of Lactobacillus spp. in the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Candida albicans is often associated with oral candidiasis, and drug-resistance profiles have contributed to an increase in morbidity and mortality. It is known that Lactobacillus spp. acts by competing for adhesion to the epithelium, absorption of nutrients and modulation of the human microbiota. Therefore, they are important to assist in the host's microbiological balance and reduce the growth of Candida spp. Until now, there have been no reports in the literature of reviews correlating to the use of Lactobacillus spp. in the treatment of oral candidiasis. Thus, this review aims to highlight the mechanisms of action of Lactobacillus spp. and methods that can be used in the treatment of oral candidiasis. This is a study carried out through the databases PubMed Central and Scientific Electronic Library Online, using the following keywords: Oral Candidiasis and Lactobacillus. Original articles about oral candidiasis were included, with both in vitro and in vivo analyses, and published from 2012 to 2022. Lactobacillus rhamnosus was the most common microorganism used in the experiments against Candida, acting mainly in the reduction of biofilm, filamentation, and competing for adhesion sites of Candida spp. Among in vivo studies, most researchers used immunosuppressed mouse modelsof Candida infection. The studies showed that Lactobacillus has a great potential as a probiotic, acting mainly in the prevention and treatment of mucosal diseases. Thus, the use of Lactobacillus may be a good strategy for the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Poly(Lysine)-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots Conquer Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm-Induced Persistent Endodontic Infections.

Persistent endodontic infections (PEIs) mediated by bacterial biofilm mainly cause persistent periapical inflammation, resulting in recurrent periapical abscesses and progressive bone destruction. However, conventional root canal disinfectants are highly damaging to the tooth and periodontal tissue and ineffective in treating persistent root canal infections. Antimicrobial materials that are biocompatible with apical tissues and can eliminate PEIs-associated bacteria are urgently needed. Here, ε-poly (L-lysine) derived carbon quantum dots (PL-CQDs) are fabricated using pyrolysis to remove PEIs-associated bacterial biofilms. Due to their ultra-small size, high positive charge, and active reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capacity, PL-CQDs exhibit highly effective antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), which is greatly dependent on PL-CQDs concentrations. 100 µg/mL PL-CQDs could kill E. faecalis in 5 min. Importantly, PL-CQDs effectively achieved a reduction of biofilms in the isolated teeth model, disrupting the dense structure of biofilms. PL-CQDs have acceptable cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility in vitro and good biosafety in vivo. Thus, PL-CQDs provide a new strategy for treating E. faecalis-associated PEIs.

Thymol and carvacrol against Klebsiella: anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm, and synergistic activities-a systematic review.

Klebsiella poses a significant global threat due to its high antibiotic resistance rate. In recent years, researchers have been seeking alternative antimicrobial agents, leading to the introduction of natural compounds such as monoterpenes, specifically thymol and carvacrol. This review aims to illustrate the potential antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and synergistic traits of thymol and carvacrol in combat against Klebsiella. Searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, we reviewed available evidence on the antibacterial effects of thymol, carvacrol, or combined with other compounds against Klebsiella until May 2024. Reference checking was performed after the inclusion of studies. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC), and anti-biofilm activity were gathered, and the MBC/MIC ratio was calculated to assess the bactericidal efficacy. We retrieved 38 articles out of 2,652 studies screened. The gathered data assessed the anti-microbial activity of thymol, carvacrol, and both compounds in 17, 10, and 11 studies, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) non-weighted MIC was 475.46μg/mL (±509.95) out of 60 MIC for thymol and 279.26μg/mL (±434.38) out of 68 MIC for carvacrol. Thymol and carvacrol showed anti-biofilm activities in the forms of disruption, inhibition, and mass reduction of biofilms. The MBC/MIC ratio was lower than 4 in 45 out of 47 cases, showing high bactericidal efficacy. FIC values were gathered for 68 combinations of thymol and carvacrol with other compounds, and they were mostly synergistic or additive. Thymol and carvacrol alone or in combination with other compounds, specifically known antibiotics, show great antimicrobial activity.

In Vitro Study to Assess the Antifungal Effect of Lactoferrin + Econazole/ Econazole in Reduction of Biofilm formed by Fungal Culture of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei

In Vitro Study to Assess the Antifungal Effect of Lactoferrin + Econazole/ Econazole in Reduction of Biofilm formed by Fungal Culture of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei

Isolation of quinic acid from dropped Citrus reticulata Blanco fruits: its derivatization, antibacterial potential, docking studies, and ADMET profiling.

Citrus reticulata dropped fruits are generally discarded as waste, causing environmental pollution and losses to farmers. In the present study, column chromatography has been used to isolate quinic acid (1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid) from the ethyl acetate fraction of a methanol extract of citrus fruits dropped in April. Quinic acid is a ubiquitous plant metabolite found in various plants and microorganisms. It is an important precursor in the biosynthesis of aromatic natural compounds. It was further derivatized into 3,4-o-isopropylidenequinic acid 1,5-lactone (QA1), 1,3,4,5-tetraacetoxycyclohexylaceticanhydride (QA2), and cyclohexane-1,2,3,5-tetraone (QA3). These compounds were further tested for their antibacterial potential against the foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Escherichia coli. QA1 exhibited maximum antibacterial potential (minimum inhibitory concentration; 80-120μg/mL). QA1 revealed synergistic behavior with streptomycin against all the tested bacterial strains having a fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.29 to 0.37. It also caused a significant increase in cell constituent release in all the tested bacteria compared to the control, along with prominent biofilm reduction. The results obtained were further checked with computational studies that revealed the best docking score of QA1 (-6.30kcal/mol, -5.8kcal/mol, and -4.70kcal/mol) against β-lactamase, DNA gyrase, and transpeptidase, respectively. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis revealed that the drug-like properties of QA1 had an ideal toxicity profile, making it a suitable candidate for the development of antimicrobial drugs.

Management of Infected Tissues Around Dental Implants: A Short Narrative Review.

Dental implants have become the most effective treatment option for replacing missing teeth, worldwide. The popularity and demand for dental implants are continually increasing. Nevertheless, its complications are undeniable. Peri-implant diseases, including peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, are a multifaceted clinical condition. Therefore, it is in the best interest to optimize the management of peri-implantitis, and there are still numerous methods to treat and manage infections in the vicinity of dental implants. The main goal of peri-implantitis treatment is to arrest disease progression, eliminate infection, and reconstruct damaged tissues around the implant. The clinical evidence on treating peri-implantitis that is available in PubMed was reviewed. Additionally, we presented the most comprehensive management strategies. As a result, numerous clinical trials recommended mechanical debridement and local administration of antimicrobial agents as well as topical oxygen therapy to mitigate bacterial biofilm and manage infection. The regenerative (bone grafting) approach for the treatment of peri-implantitis is another effective method. Finally, implant surface engineering can address high antibacterial efficacy and site-specific biofilm reduction.