• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.65-81
• /
• 1997

For the purpose of evaluating the appropriateness of AP-PCR as a facile, rapid and reproducible method for genotyping Streptococcus mutans, and selecting the discriminant primer for it, a DNA fingerprinting was performed on the microorganisms isolated from caries-free children and children with rampant caries, respectively. In the course of selecting appropriate primer for S. mutans genotyping, we chose S2 primer from 6 different primers which shows highest resolution on the agarose gel as well. Nineteen kinds of fingerprint patterns were observed in caries-free children and children with rampant caries which were produced by combination of 7 different fragments. Interestingly, the number of types observed in caries-free children was greater than that in children with rampant caries. And we observed Type 2 was predominant in children with rampant caries (about 80%) and relatively even distribution of each types in caries-free children. Furthermore, it was appeared that the major types in normal control were not or rarely found in children with rampant caries. In conclusion, we could establish simple, rapid and highly reproducible AP-PCR method for genotyping S. mutans. We also found differences in distribution of S. mutans between normal and patient, which suggested that cariogenicity is also dependent on qualitative aspects which is caused by the difference in genotypes of S. mutans in oral cavity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.531-538
• /
• 2009

Xylitol has the ability to reduce the adherence of Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans), which can make it easier to remove plaque, decrease acid production and inhibit dental caries. There are few reports on the effects of xylitol on the expression of the virulence related genes in S. mutans. This study examined the inhibitory effect of chewing gum containing xylitol on glucan synthesis related gene expression of S. mutans. Participants were voluntarily recruited for a women's oral health prevention program, classified into two groups(a control and a xylitol group), and then followed for 2 years. Twenty salivary samples were randomly selected from each group. Colony count and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze the characteristics of S. mutans. The following results were obtained: The S. mutans counts decreased steadily in the xylitol group over the study period(p<0.05). The expression of the virulence related genes (gtfB, gtfC and gtfD) was significantly lower in the xylitol group than in the control groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that chewing xylitol gum for a long period of time may reduce the expression of the genes associated with S. mutans virulence, which can result in a decrease growth of S. mutans colonies as a result.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.427-436
• /
• 2005

Topical application of APF gel can increase the surface roughness of resin composites and the roughened surfaces may allow increased bacterial accumulation and surface staining. Resin specimens of two proprietary resin composites, Filtek Z250(FZ) and Filtek Supreme Universal(FS), and experimental resin composites containing 0%, 3%, 6% nanofillers(E0, E3, E6) were fabricated and divided into two groups of the same number; APF treatment group and no treatment group. The amount of S. mutans adhered to specimens and the mean surface roughness(Ra) were measured. The results were as follows; 1. In no treatment group, the amount of S. mutans adhered to FS was the smallest. It was significantly different from those of FZ, E3, E6(p<0.05) although it was not significantly different from that of E0(p>0.05). 2. For all resin composites used, the amount of S. mutans adhesion in APF treatment group was significantly greater than that in no treatment group(p<0.05). 3. In APF treatment group, the amount of S. mutans adhesion was significantly different between materials(p<0.05), and increased in order of FS, FZ, E0, E3 and E6. 4. Difference of the surface roughness(Ra) between materials was not statistically significant in both no treatment group and APF treatment group(p>0.05)

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 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 dental hygiene science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.54-61
• /
• 2024

Background: The Korean name for Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is Cham-dang-gui, which grows naturally or is cultivated, and its dried roots are used in traditional herbal medicines. The AGN root exert various pharmacological effects. Despite the various pharmacological effects of the AGN root, there are no reports on its anti-oral microbial effects. The purpose of this study was to reveal the anti-oral microbial effect and the microbial and biochemical changes in oral microorganisms according to the concentration of the ethanol extract of AGN (EAGN) root, and to confirm the possibility of using EAGN as a plant-derived functional substance for controlling oral infectious microorganisms. Methods: Disk diffusion test, growth measurement, biofilm formation assay, and measurements of acid production and buffering capacity were performed to confirm the antibacterial effect of EAGN. Results: EAGN showed anti-oral bacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at all concentrations, with S. mutans showing a more susceptible effect at concentrations above 5.0 mg/ml and A. actinomycetemcomitans at 3.75 mg/ml. EAGN treatment significantly reduced A. actinomycetemcomitans growth at all concentrations tested. Biofilm formation was significantly reduced at concentrations above 3.75 mg/ml for S. mutans and 2.5 mg/ml for A. actinomycetemcomitans. Acid production in S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly increased by treatment with EAGN, and the buffering capacities of S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans increased from an EAGN concentration of 3.75 mg/ml and above. Conclusion: EAGN showed anti-oral bacterial effects against both S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans at concentrations above 3.75 mg/ml, which were thought to be related to the inhibition of their growth and biofilm formation. Therefore, EAGN can be used as a safe functional substance derived from medicinal plants owing to its antibacterial effects against S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 1990

Streptococcus mutans 10449 was cultured in sucrose-containing BHI broth with ethyl alcohol of different concentration from 1% to 18%, The pH of culture media was from pH 7.00 to pH 5.00. Tobacco smoke and tobacco extract were also used. Ethyl acohol began to inhibit sucrose fermentation by S. mutans at 2% and completely inhibited it between 9% and 18%. The lower the pH of media was, the stronger the inhibition of ethyl alcohol became. 9% Ethyl alcohol completely inhibited sucrose fermentation by S. mutans below pH 5.50, Inhibition by tobacco extract was obvious, but it did not inhibit the growth of S. mutans also. Therefore, the increase of caries activity in drinkers and smokers could be the result of indirect effect of alcohol and tobacco by oral ecology, behavior, or systematic course, rather than the result of direct effect of alcohol and tobacco to plaque bacteria and their metabolism.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.181-185
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The Zanthoxylum pericarpium has been used as oriental spicy seasoning and a medicinal plant from old times. This study was performed to determine the anti-oxidant efficacy of Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract and the anti-microbial effects. Methods : We got Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract using PSE (pressurized solvent extraction) method. The anti-microbial effect of Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract was assessed on Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) and anti-oxidant effect of the extract was assessed by measuring DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD like activity. Results : 1. Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract had high anti-microbial activity on S. mutans. 2. DPPH radical scavenging activity significantly increased in the Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract. 3. SOD like activity also significantly increased in the Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract. Conclusions : The PSE extract from Zanthoxylum pericarpium has good anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effects in a concentration-dependent manner.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1195-1199
• /
• 2005

In the present study, Inhibitory effects of the ethanol extract of Saussurea lappa (S. lappa) on the growth, acid production, adhesion and water-insoluble glucan synthesis of Streptouccus mutans (S. mutans) were examined. The growth and acid production of S. mutans were Inhibited by the presence of ethanol extract of S. lappa (0.5-4 mg/ml) significantly. The ethanol extract of S. lappa (0.25-4 mg/ml) also significantly lowered the adherence of S. mutans in a dose dependent manner. In water-insoluble glucan synthesis assay, 2-4 mg/ml of the ethanol extract of S. lappa significantly inhibited the formation of water-insoluble glucan. These results suggest that S. lappa may inhibit the caries-inducing properties of S. mutans. Further studies are necessary to clarify the active constituents of S. lappa responsible for such biomolecular activities.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.321-325
• /
• 2010

Among endogenous oral microflora, Streptococcus mutans plays a critical role in dental plaque formation, which mainly contributes to the development of caries and periodontal disease. Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds that have been studied as beneficial nutrients to human health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of phytochemicals against S. mutans. Among them, oleanolic acid (OA) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (HF) from Thomson seedless raisins were tested for anti-microbial effects against various clinically important bacteria. OA inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative bacteria. However, HF did not display any antibacterial effect against any of the strains tested. OA also exhibited inhibitory effects in surface adherence and biofilm formation of S. mutans. The results suggest that OA can be utilized as a potential anti-plaque and anti-caries agent by controlling the physiological characteristics of S. mutans on teeth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2008

Dental caries is an infectious disease caused by mutans streptococci, and is a primary etiologic agent of dental caries in humans. The molecular pathogenesis of mutans streptococcal-associated dental caries occurs in three phases. Firstly, S. mutans attaches to tooth surface via a cell surface adhesion termed antigen I/II. In the second phase, the glucosyltransferase(GTFs) synthesize polymers like glucans in the presence of sucrose. In the third phase, the multivalent glucans interacts with glucan binding proteins (GBPs) and they make dental plaque and accumulation of microorganisms. Many studies and clinical trials have indicated that a mucosal immune response to these antigens(Ag I/II, GTFs, GBPs) of S. mutans can influence the pathogenesis of dental caries. So these antigens can be important vaccine candidates for immunologic intervention against dental caries. In this study, we cloned the genes for GTFb, GTFc, GTFd from S. mutans GS-5 and did the nucleotide sequence analysis. And the recombinant proteins of GTFd and N-terminus of GTFd were expressed. Intact GTF which we get from this experiment can be used for antibody production specific for any GTF activity domain through animal experiment.