• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 2007

The periodontal diseases and dental caries are major infectious diseases in oral cavity. Many of the preventive and therapeutic dental products contain the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory components. But some of these antimicrobial have weak points such as coloration, burning sensation and insolubility in water. We have screened the therapeutic herbal extracts of the Plant Extract Bank for the antimicrobial activity on the major dental pathogens by growth inhibition assay. For the Porphyromonas gingivalis, 8 herbal extracts had an antimicrobial activity, 11 herbal extracts for the Prevotella intermedia, 43 herbal extracts for the Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans and 61 herbal extracts for the Streptococcus mutans. Among these extracts, 6 herbal extracts had an antimicrobial activity for more than 3 species of dental pathogens. These extracts are Araliae Cordatae Radix, Crassirhizomae Rhizoma, Mori Radicis Cortex, Psoraleae Semen, Pini Ramulus and Sieges- beckiae Herba. All of effective extracts were CA group, ethanol extracts. Among these 6 herbal extracts, only Crassirhizomae is known to have a antibacterial effects. Therefore these herbal extracts have a possibility to be a candidate for a major antibacterial components in dental products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.531-537
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• 2006

Lactic acid-producing bacteria (LABs) are known to have various beneficial properties for health. However, they are generally considered to have an adverse effect on teeth, since they produce acid. Nonetheless, milk and cheese containing specific LAB strains were recently found to have an inhibitory effect on dental caries in children, with an inhibitory activity towards the growth of Streptococcus mutans suggested as the responsible mechanism. Accordingly, the current study selected a probiotic candidate for oral health and studied its inhibitory mechanism against dental caries. Twenty-two LAB species belonging to eleven genuses were screened for promoting bone nodule formation using direct microscopic examination. Only one isolate, Weissella kimchii strain PL9001, increased the bone nodule formation significantly. The addition of W. kimchii strain PL9001 to bone cells prepared from mouse calvaria increased the bone nodule formation, calcium accumulation, and activity of alkaline phosphatase (the osteoblastic marker). Moreover, W. kimchii strain PL9001 inhibited the invasion of Streptococcus mutans into bone cells, and an organic extract of the culture supernatant of W. kimchii strain PL9001 inhibited the growth of Strep. mutans. Therefore, the results suggest that W. kimchii strain PL9001 can be used as a preventive measure against dental caries. This is the first time that a LAB has been shown to promote bone nodule formation and prevent the invasion of Strep. mutans into bone cells.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.210-215
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• 2018

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to verify the antibacterial activity of two essential oils, lavender and peppermint, against dental caries and to review their synergistic effect when used in combination. Our results provide basic data for the evaluation of the use of these two substances towards the prevention and cure of dental caries. Methods: The sample solutions of lavender and peppermint oils were prepared in three different concentrations (30%, 50%, and 70% (v/v)) by diluting them with third-distilled water and Tween 20. Streptococcus mutans was selected as the bacterial species for testing. The disk diffusion method was used to measure the antibacterial activity of the sample solutions. For generating growth curves and measuring the number of clusters of the bacterial, the liquid medium-dilution method was used; the absorbance of the medium was measured at 600 nm after 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Results: When the antibacterial activity of the oils was tested via the disk diffusion method, the activity improved with increasing concentrations of all the sample solutions of peppermint, lavender, and the blend, but there was no significant difference between them with respect to the type of oil. In the growth curves of S. mutans, growth inhibition was observed after 12 hours. The inhibitory effect of 30% lavender oil on growth was 64.9% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively whereas that of peppermint oil was 71.3% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the blended oil was 71.9% and 81.0% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. Conclusions: Further research is still required in order to determine the efficacy of lavender and peppermint oils, as well as other essential oils, for wider use in preventing dental caries.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.370-374
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• 2005

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is known as the causative bacterial playing the most important role informing plaque and it is being noticed as major causative bacteria of dental caries. Therefore, development of more effective, substantial and safe preventive agent against dental caries and periodontal disease is honestly required. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae) methanol extracts on the growth, acid production, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. The methanol extract of C. rotundus showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity against the growth and acid production of S. mutans, and produced significant inhibition at the concentration of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml compared to the control group. The extracts markedly inhibited S. mutans adherence to HA treated with saliva, and cell adherence was repressed by more than 50% at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and complete inhibition was observed at the concentration of 4 mg/ml. On the activity of glucosyltransferase which synthesizes water insoluble glucan from sucrose, methanol extract of C. rotundus showed more than 10% inhibition over the concentration of 2 mg/ml. Thus, the application of C. rotundus can be considered a useful and a practical method for the prevention of dental caries.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum fruit (ASF; Ogaza) extracts on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, which are agents that cause dental caries, and on Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus salivarius, the microbial flora of the oral cavity. The ASF extracts obtained using 70% ethanol were fractionated in the order of ethyl acetate and n-Butanol, concentrated under reduced pressure, and lyophilized to give powdery solvent extracts. The antimicrobial activity of ASF extracts from each solvent was examined using the disk diffusion method. As a result, only those extracts obtained using an ethyl acetate solvent showed antimicrobial activity. These extracts were selected, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was measured by disk diffusion method at various extract concentrations. Results showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 32 mg/ml. The viable cell count was measured to confirm the minimum bactericidal concentration. Results showed a minimum bactericidal concentration of 64 mg/ml. In the cytotoxicity test using normal human dermal fibroblast cells, the absorbance value of the test group was similar to that of the control group at 0.64, 1.28, and 6.4 mg/ml. The bacteria and their colonies were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Boundaries between the antimicrobial activity region and non-antimicrobial activity region were observed around the paper disk, which was immersed in the extract with 32 mg/ml concentration. Bacterial colonization was not observed in the area with antimicrobial activity. This finding suggests that ASF extracts can inhibit the growth of some microorganisms in the oral cavity, in addition to the effects of these extracts known to date. In particular, ASF extracts may be used as a preparation for preventing dental caries by adding the extract to the toothpaste or oral mouthwash.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2010

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy used for the treatment of pediatric cancer may have many adverse effects on the oral cavity. Oral mucositis, reduced salivary flow, oral infection, hypodontia, microdontia, arrested root development, and enamel hypoplasia are common oral complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of cancer therapy on dental caries activities. The children who had been treated for neuroblastoma in the department of pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, were included and healthy children served as controls. The salivary flow rate, salivary buffering capacity, and Streptococcus mutans counts of both groups were evaluated using Dentocult$^{(R)}$ SM and Dentobuff$^{(R)}$ Strip. The dental caries activity related to the age at the start of treatment and the time elapsed since treatment completion were also evaluated. As a result, neuroblastoma patients had significantly lower salivary flow rate than the controls, while there were no significant differences between two groups as for salivary buffering capacity and Streptococcus mutans counts. The dental caries activities related to the age at the start of treatment and the time elapsed since treatment completion were not significantly different.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.354-362
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• 2018

Periogen is a new caries activity test using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of Periogen by evaluating the correlation with dmft, dmfts indices and comparing with Cariview and caries risk assessment tool (CAT). 83 children under 6 participated in this study. Dmft, dmfts indices and CAT were collected through an examination of oral health status. Plaque samples for Periogen and Cariview were collected and manipulated according to the manufactures' instructions. The correlation coefficient of Periogen, Cariview and CAT with the dmfts index were 0.38, 0.56 and 0.66 in each (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of Periogen, Cariview and CAT were 43%, 76% and 95% and specificity were 80%, 72% and 74% respectively. Area under curve under the receiver operating characteristic curves in each method indicated 0.69, 0.81 and 0.85. CAT and Cariview were more effective in evaluation the risk of dental caries than Periogen so far. To be used Periogen clinically, more improvements for higher validity were needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2018

Purpose : The study objective was to assess the antibacterial activity of essential oil of basil against S. mutans and P. gingivalis and to explore its potential to prevent dental caries and peridontal disease. Method : Essential oil of basil, extracted using steam distillation, was diluted with triple distilled water and Tween 20 to generate samples at various concentration, that is 30%, 50%, and 70% (v/v). Strains of S. mutans and P. gingivalis were incubated in the medium under anaerobic condition. Broth microdilution susceptibility testing and plate incubation diffusion were utilized to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and to measure antibacterial activity, respectively. Result : An upsurge in antibacterial activity was seen to correlate with and increase in the concentration used for both bacterial strains, but was more significant with S. mutans. A statistically significant growth inhibition effect and reduction in the number of colonies was also observed with both strains dependent on the concentration used following 24 hours of incubation. Conclusion : Thus, the current study finding was that essential oil of basil was effective against dental caries and periodontal disease and could be used in dentifrice to help prevent oral disease.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2017

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the dental field. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. In a previous study, we confirmed that the essential oil of Chrysanthemum boreale has antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Alpha-pinene is one of the major chemical components of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ${\alpha}-pinene$ on cariogenic properties such as growth, acid production, biofilm formation, and bactericidal activity on S. mutans. Alpha-pinene at a concentration range of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and acid production of S. mutans. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited at > 0.0625 mg/mL ${\alpha}-pinene$, similar to the data from scanning electronic microscopy. Under confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacterial viability was decreased by ${\alpha}-pinene$ in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that ${\alpha}-pinene$ may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of S. mutans.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1625-1628
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• 2006

The (-)-pimara-9 (11), 15-dien-19-oic acid, acanthoic acid was extracted from the roots of Acanthopanax koreanum using bioassay-guided isolation of a MeOH extract. Acanthoic acid was assayed against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus epidermidis causing dental caries and opportunistic pathogen. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of acanthoic acid against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus epidermidis was 2 and 4 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively, which was much lower than those of other natural antimicrobial agents such as 8 ${\mu}g/mL$ of tanshinone IIA. Acanthoic acid also significantly inhibited the growth of other cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus grodenii in the MIC range of 4${\sim}$32 ${\mu}g/mL$. Our findings suggest that acanthoic acid could be employed as a potential antibacterial agent for preventing dental caries and skin infections.