• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.143-151
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• 2020

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus play important roles in dental caries. Coptis chinensis is a natural product with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria; however, its effects on oral streptococci are still unknown. Therefore, the effects of C. chinensis on the growth and biofilm formation of the representative cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus were investigated for the possible use of C. chinensis as an anticaries agent. The C. chinensis extract was diluted with sterile distilled water, and 0.1-2.5% of the extract was used in the experiment. The effects of the C. chinensis extract on the growth and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were measured by viable cell counting and spectrophotometry at 650 nm absorbance, respectively. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to confirm the C. chinensis extract's inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. The C. chinensis extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus at concentrations of ≥ 0.3% as compared with the control group. The viable cell count of colonies decreased by 1.7-fold and 1.2-fold at 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, compared with the control group. The biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was inhibited by > 20-fold at C. chinensis extract concentrations of ≥ 1.25% as compared with the control group. In summary, the C. chinensis extract inhibited the growth and biofilm and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Therefore, C. chinensis might be a potential candidate for controlling dental caries.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.420-424
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to investigate anticariotic activity of the ethyl acetate soluble extract of Sophora flavescens Ait. for the prevention of dental caries and glucosyltransferase activity caused by Streptococcus mutans. The fraction 5-4-3 showed strong growth inhibition activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC, 3.13 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). The glucosyltransferase activity of the active fraction 5-4-3 inhibited the formation of glucan and showed 77% of the antiproliferative effect at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml (P<0.05). Two flavanones, (2S)-2'-methoxy kurarinone (1) and (+)-kurarinone (2), were isolated from the active fraction 5-4-3 of the ethyl acetate soluble extract of S. flavescens Ait. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.565-568
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• 2003

The antibacterial activity for S. mutans by using 5 kinds of vinegar was researched. As a result it was the highest at persimmon vinegar and then grape, apple, high calcium brown rice, brown rice vinegar in order. The antibacterial effect was shown at 1.5% of persimmon vinegar concentration and the growth was fully repressed at 4% of concentration. As an observation result with a transmission electron microscope(TEM), the growth was obstructed by destroying the cell wall and the cytoplasmic membrane. As a research result of the total phenol contents for each vinegar, the persimmon vinegar was the highest as 237.49 mg% and the antibacterial activity was increased when the total phenol contents were high.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2013

There are estimated to be about 700 species of bacteria in the oral cavity. Based on epidemiological investigations, some of these strains have been proposed as the pathogens responsible for oral diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. Since electrolyzed hydrogen-rich water has been shown to have beneficial effects on human immunity, its use has increased. In our study, the antibacterial activity of hydrogen-rich water for oralagainst bacteria associated with oral disease was evaluated. The bacterial strains Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were cultured in specific growth medium. S. mutans, F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis were soaked to thein both hydrogen water and tap water for 30 sec and then inoculated onto mitis-salivarius agar and brain heart infusion agar including supplemented withvitamin K and hemin, respectively. The numbers of bacterial colonies were then measured after cultivation for 48 hours. In the case of T. forsythia, which does not grow well on agar plates, inoculations into modified new oral spirochete (NOS) broth were performed and growth curve analysis was undertaken every day with a spectrophotometer. Hydrogen water showed antibacterial activity against all four bacterial strains in comparison with tap-water. We conclude from this that hydrogen water may have a positive impact on oral hygiene by helping to remove cariogenic bacteria and periodontopathogens.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2007

Plant extract has attracted considerable interest in oral disease therapy. The present study was performed to observe the antibacterial effect on cariogenic Streptococcus mutans GS5 and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715, and periodontopathic Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 of phytoncide from Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc employing the measurement of optical density, viable cell counts, and antibiotic sensitivity. The results were as follows: 1. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the phytoncide for S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed to be 0.5%, 1%, and 0.2%, respectively. 2. Minimum bactericidal concentration of the phytoncide for S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was determined to be 0.5%, 2%, and 0.2%, respectively. 3. The bacteria exposed to the phytoncide become more sensitive to antibiotics. The phytoncide enhanced significantly antibacterial activity of ampicillin against S. mutans and S. sobrinus. It also increased significantly the activity of penicillin and amoxicillin against S. sobrinus. In contrast, the phytoncide augmented the activity of amoxicillin and cefotaxime against A. actinomycetemcomitans but the increase was not statistically significant. The overall results indicate that phytoncide from Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc used for this study has a strong antibacterial activity against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria and that it also has permeabilizing effect on certain antibiotics against these bacteria. Therefore, the phytoncide may be used as a candidate for prevention and therapeutic agent against oral infectious disease including dental caries and periodontal disease.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the anti-microbial activity of extract from Korean fermented soybean paste (doen-jang) against 16 types of oral microbes, and to determine the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the extract for three major microbes causing human oral diseases (Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida albicans). The extract was prepared using ethyl acetate and it was treated with the oral microbes at a concentration of 5.00 mg/ml (0.5%). The anti-microbial activity and MIC were measured using broth dilution method. Significant reduction of microbial activities of 16 types of oral microbes occurred when the soybean paste extract was added to the broth compared to the control (p<0.01), and striking inhibition (more than 99%) was observed in ten types. S. mutans, which causes dental caries, showed MIC at a concentration of 1.25 mg/ml for the extract. P. gingivalis, which causes adult periodontal disease, showed MIC at a concentration of 2.50 mg/ml for the extract. C. albicans, which causes denture stomatitis and angular stomatitis, showed MIC at a concentration of 20 mg/ml for the extract. These results indicate that ethyl acetate extract of doen-jang showed strong anti-microbial effect against 16 types of oral microbes, and the anti-microbial effect of the extract against oral microbes was stronger against bacteria than against fungi. The anti-microbial effect might be possibly enhanced by the fermentation of soybeans.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2005

Dental plaque is a film of microorganisms on the tooth surface that plays an important part in the development of caries and periodontal diseases. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is present in almost all types of dental plaque. Teeth and their supporting structure, the gums (gingiva) are subjected to infection by S. mutans that causes cavities and pyorrhea which, if left untreated, can eventually lead to gingivitis. Various chemical agents have been evaluated over the years with respect to their antimicrobial effects in the oral cavity; however, all are associated with side effects that prohibit regular long-term use. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Aralia continentalis (Araliaceae) extracts on the growth, acid production, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. The methanol extract of A. continentalis showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity against the growth and acid production of S. mutans, and produced significant inhibition at the concentration of 0.25, 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 60% at the concentration of 0.25 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 A. continentalis showed more than 10% inhibition over the concentration of 0.25 mg/ml. The synthesis of insoluble glucan was decreased in the presence of 0.25 - 4 mg/ml of the methanol extract of A. continentalis. Hence, we conclude that A. continentalis might be a candidate of anticaries agent.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2010

Protein C deficiency increases the risk of thrombosis due to the lack of anticoagulant factor protein C. Among the numerous congenital protein C deficiencies, homozygous protein C deficiency has an especially low protein C activity level, that it is almost undetectable. It is a rare disease with a probability of 1:250000~500000. The signs and symptoms of homozygous protein C deficiency include purpuric, necrotic dermatosis, ecchymosis, blindness, and thrombosis in central nervous system. A 4-year-old girl was brought to the clinic with a chief complaint of extensive caries. The child was under warfarin medication in order to prevent possible complications during dental treatment. We consulted the pediatric department. Without warfarin intake, serious complications may occur due to thrombosis during dental treatment. Therefore, certain warfarin dosage (INR 3~5) and fresh frozen plasma as a backup for excessive hemorrhage were recommended. This child was a severely disabled child with the loss of vision, and it was difficult to manage her behavior effectively. Thus, dental treatment was carried out under general anesthesia, where bleeding control would be also easier to achieve.This report presents the case of a 4-year-old girl with protein C deficiency, who has received dental treatment for extensive caries under general anesthesia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.957-963
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• 2001

Bacillus subtilis YL-1004 was isolated from soil for the development of agents to control dental caries. This strain produced an extracellular lytic enzyme that hydrolyzed the Streptococcus mutans cell wall. The lytic enzyme was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography and gel permeation chromatography to give a single band on SDS-PAGE and non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was deduced from SDS-PAGE and gel chromatography to be 38 kDa and the PI to be 4.3 from isoelectric focusing. Sirty $\%$ of its lytic activity remained after incubation at $50^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, and its optimal temperature was $37^{\circ}C$ . The enzyme showed its highest activity at pH 8.0 and was stable at pHs ranging from 4.0 to 9.0. Treatment with several modifiers showed that a cysteine residue was involved in the active site of the enzyme. This lytic enzyme from Bacillus subtilis YL-1004 exhibited specificity towards Streptococci and also showed autolytic activity on Bacillus subtilis YL-1004.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2008

Dental caries which is one of the most common chronic disease complexly developed by the action of oral bacteria, diet, and host factor. Various prevention program enhance resistance of demineralization and reduce the acidogenecity of oral bacteria have been introduced, representative material is fluoride and chlorhexidine. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare effectiveness of fluoride varnish and chlorhexidine varnish in vivo. Bovine tooth specimens were implanted in the lower space maintainers and applied with fluoride varnish and chlorhexidine varnish. After seven days in oral environment, metal mesh was covered to make similar condition of plaque accumulation and induce caries. All specimens were analysed by EPMA to evaluate quantitative change of Ca, P and by polarized microscope to identify histological changes. The results were as follows : After initial artificial caries induction in the mouth, there were remarkable enamel caries lesion in the control group under polarized light microscopy. The highest amount of mineral decrease were showed in control group. No statistically significant mineral decrease were showed in fluoride varnish group, while chlorhexidine varnish group showed only significant decrease of P(P<0.05). In conclusion both fluoride varnish and chlorhexidine varnish seemed to be effective for protecting enamel surface from caries activity, although fluoride varnish has more anticariogenic effect than chlorhexidine varnish.