Anti-Cariogenicity of 2-Hydroxyethyl -Undecenate from Cumin (Cuminum cymium L.) Seed

This study was to assess the antimicrobial action of 2-hydroxyethyl ${\beta}$-undecenate purified from cumin (Cuminum cymium L.) seed against the oral anaerobe, Streptococcus mutans, which is associated with gingivitis, specifically focusing on the catabolic effect. 2-Hydroxyethyl ${\beta}$-undecenate inhibited the acid production and growth of S. mutans after 30 hr incubation at 50 mM. The glycolysis of S. mutans with glucose as substrate was similarly sensitive to 2-hydroxyethyl ${\beta}$-undecenate, with 70% inhibition of glucose utilization at 5 mM and 90% inhibition at 50 mM. In addition, this substance potently inhibited the glycolysis enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADP); the phosphoenolpyruvate, glucose phosphotransferase (Glucose-PTS); and membrane ATPase, in a concentration dependent manner. The $IC_{50}$ values for inhibition of GADP, Glucose-PTS, and ATPase were 1, 0.9, and 5 mM, respectively. Furthermore, 2-hydroxyethyl ${\beta}$-undecenate inhibited teeth calcium ion elution by 80% at 50 mM. These results suggest that 2-hydroxyethyl ${\beta}$-undecenate is a potent inhibitor of carbohydrate metabolism and the growth of S. mutans JC-2.