Antimicrobial Activity of Oleanolic Acid, Ursolic Acid, and Sophoraflavanone G against Periodontopathogens

In general, oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) have antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive bacteria but not Gram-negative bacteria whereas sophoraflavanone G has antimicrobial activity against both bacterial types. However, the antimicrobial effects of OA, UA, and sophoraflavanone G against periodontopathogens have not been studied to any great extent. The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial effect of OA, UA, and sophoraflavanone G against 15 strains (5 species) of oral Gram-negative bacteria, which are the major causative bacteria of periodontal disease. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determinations. OA and UA showed antimicrobial effects against all of the Porphyromonas gingivalis strains tested and also Prevotella intermedia ATCC $25611^T$. Interestingly, P. intermedia ATCC 49046 showed greater resistance to OA and UA than P. intermedia ATCC $25611^T$. In contrast, sophoraflavanone G had antimicrobial activity against all strains, with MIC and MBC values below $32{\mu}g/ml$, except Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. These results indicate that sophoraflavanone G may have potential for use in future oral hygiene products such as dentifrices and gargling solution to prevent periodontitis.