• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2023

In oriental medicine, the fruit of Actinidia polygama has long been used to alleviate the symptoms of gout, arthritis, and inflammation. In this study, it was to designed to analyze the antibacterial activity of A. polygama ethanol extract (APEE) against Streptococcus mutans, one of the major strains for dental caries, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the critical strains for periodontal disease. The antibacterial activity of APEE was analyzed by disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. In addition, it was also analyzed the inhibitory effect of APEE on bacterial growth and biofilm formation against both oral pathogens. APEE exhibited its antibacterial effect through the inhibited bacterial diffusion as well as low concentration of MIC and MBC. In addition, APEE significantly inhibited not only bacterial growth but also biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, APEE showed potent antibacterial activity against both S. mutans and P. gingivalis, which indicates that APEE might be used as a potential antibacterial material for the improvement of oral healthcare.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.118-123
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the composition of artificial cariogenic biofilms using a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model over a period of time. Methods: We analyzed the dry weight, colony forming unit (CFU) number, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) biovolume, and acid production rate of S. mutans biofilms formed on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs after 26 h, 50 h, 74 h, 98 h, 171 h, and 195 h. In addition, we performed a laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy to determine the bacterial volume, EPS biovolume, and biofilm thickness. We calculated the biofilm density using dry weight and EPS biovolume. Results: Over a period of time, there was no change in the CFU number and acid production rate of S. mutans biofilms, but there was an increase in the dry weight and EPS biovolume of S. mutans biofilms. The bacterial volume, EPS biovolume, and biofilm thickness only increased in the 50-h-old biofilm; however, no change was observed in 50-195-h-old biofilms. In addition, an increase in the biofilm density was observed over time. Conclusions: These results suggest that the acid production ability of cariogenic biofilms does not change, but the biofilm density increases over time. However, due to scientific information, further research needs to be conducted in the field of dentistry to get further insights on the progression of cariogenic biofilms over time.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the phototoxic effects of blue light exposure on periodontal pathogens in both planktonic and biofilm cultures. Methods: Strains of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, in planktonic or biofilm states, were exposed to visible light at wavelengths of 400.520 nm. A quartz-tungsten-halogen lamp at a power density of $500mW/cm^2$ was used for the light source. Each sample was exposed to 15, 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds of each bacterial strain in the planktonic or biofilm state. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) was used to observe the distribution of live/dead bacterial cells in biofilms. After light exposure, the bacterial killing rates were calculated from colony forming unit (CFU) counts. Results: CLSM images that were obtained from biofilms showed a mixture of dead and live bacterial cells extending to a depth of $30-45{\mu}m$. Obvious differences in the live-to-dead bacterial cell ratio were found in P. gingivalis biofilm according to light exposure time. In the planktonic state, almost all bacteria were killed with 60 seconds of light exposure to F. nucleatum (99.1%) and with 15 seconds to P. gingivalis (100%). In the biofilm state, however, only the CFU of P. gingivalis demonstrated a decreasing tendency with increasing light exposure time, and there was a lower efficacy of phototoxicity to P. gingivalis as biofilm than in the planktonic state. Conclusions: Blue light exposure using a dental halogen curing unit is effective in reducing periodontal pathogens in the planktonic state. It is recommended that an adjunctive exogenous photosensitizer be used and that pathogens be exposed to visible light for clinical antimicrobial periodontal therapy.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.197-202
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• 2010

Most oral microorganisms exist as biofilms which initiate formation via the attachment of an early colonizer to host proteins on the tooth surface. Fusobacterium nucleatum act as a bridge between early and late colonizers. Dental biofilms eventually comprise dental pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia. To evaluate the effects of mutual interactions between oral bacteria on the growth of biofilms, periodontopathogens were co-cultured with a $0.4\;{\mu}m$ barrier. Streptococcus gordonii inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum and periodontopathogens. However, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis and T. denticola activated the growth of other bacteria. A co-culture system of early and late colonizers could be a useful tool to further understand bacterial interactions during the development of dental biofilm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1829-1835
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• 2016

Dental caries is caused by cariogenic biofilm, an oral biofilm including Streptococcus mutans. Recently, the prevention of dental caries using various probiotics has been attempted. Lactococcus lactis HY 449 is a probiotic bacterium. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of L. lactis HY 449 on cariogenic biofilm and to analyze its inhibitory mechanisms. Cariogenic biofilm was formed in the presence or absence of L. lactis HY 449 and L. lactis ATCC 19435, and analyzed with a confocal laser microscope. The formation of cariogenic biofilm was reduced in cultures spiked with both L. lactis strains, and L. lactis HY 449 exhibited more inhibitory effects than L. lactis ATCC 19435. In order to analyze and to compare the inhibitory mechanisms, the antibacterial activity of the spent culture medium from both L. lactis strains against S. mutans was investigated, and the expression of glucosyltransferases (gtfs) of S. mutans was then analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. In addition, the sucrose fermentation ability of both L. lactis strains was examined. Both L. lactis strains showed antibacterial activity and inhibited the expression of gtfs, a nd t he d ifference b etween both strains did not show. In the case of sucrose-fermenting ability, L. lactis HY 449 fermented sucrose but L. lactis ATCC 19435 did not. L. lactis HY 449 inhibited the uptake of sucrose and the gtfs expression of S. mutans, whereby the development of cariogenic biofilm may be inhibited. In conclusion, L. lactis HY 449 may be a useful probiotic for the prevention of dental caries.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1242-1248
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• 2017

Several medicinal plants are ethnomedically used in Korea as agents for treating infection, anti-inflammation, and pain relief. However, beyond typical inhibitory effects on cell growth, little is known about the potential anti-biofilm activity of these herbs, which may help to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extracts of 37 Korean medicinal plants against dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, which synergize their virulence so as to induce the formation of plaque biofilms in the oral cavity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated by broth dilution and disk diffusion assay. The anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities were evaluated based on the inhibitory effect against glucosyltransferase (GTase) and the DPPH assay, respectively. Among 37 herbs, eight plant extracts presented growth and biofilm inhibitory activities against both etiologic bacteria. Among them, the methanol extracts (1.0 mg/ml) from Camellia japonica and Thuja orientalis significantly inhibited the growth of both bacteria by over 76% and over 83% in liquid media, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these methanol extracts were determined to be 0.5 mg/ml using a disk diffusion assay on solid agar media. Biofilm formation was inhibited by more than 92.4% and 98.0%, respectively, using the same concentration of each extract. The present results demonstrate that the medicinal plants C. japonica and T. orientalis are potentially useful as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents in preventing dental diseases.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.84-96
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• 2024

Background: Recent studies have elucidated the quorum-sensing mechanisms, biofilm formation, inter-pathogen interactions, and genes related to oral pathogens. This review aims to explore the recent expansion of drug targets against oral pathogens and summarize the current research on novel antibiotic substances derived from marine organisms that target oral pathogens. Methods: A comprehensive literature review summarized the novel mechanisms pertaining to quorum-sensing signal transmission systems, biofilm formation, and metabolite exchange in oral pathogens. The amino acid sequences of the 16 proteins identified as potential drug targets were systematically classified and compared across various oral microorganisms. Results: Through a literature review, we identified nine studies researching quorum sensing signaling inhibitors targeting oral pathogens. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of 16 potential drug targets in oral microorganisms revealed significant differences between oral pathogens and beneficial oral symbiotic microorganisms. These findings imply that it is possible to design drugs that can bind more selectively to oral pathogens. Conclusion: By summarizing the results of recent research on the signaling mechanisms that cause pathogenicity, new drug targets against oral pathogens were proposed. Additionally, the current status of developing new antibiotics for oral pathogens using recently developed quorum sensing inhibitors and natural products derived from marine organisms was introduced. Consequently, marine natural products can be used to develop drugs targeting new proteins in oral pathogens.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2008

In this study, specimens such as tongue, supragingival and subgingival biofilm were taken from total 20 scaling subjects who visited the oral prophylaxis practice lab at department of dental hygienics, J Health College in order to observe bacterial distributions and morphology using scanning electron microscopy(sem). as a result, this study came to the following conclusions: 1. According to observation of tongue, supragingival and subgingival biofilm through sem, it is found that there are round colonies of gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli on blood agar medium. 2. The observation of bacterial morphology on dental biofilm through sem, cocci in chain cocci in cluster and bacillus(rod) respectively. 3. For tongue biofilm, it is found that a variety of bacterial species are detected, such as Granulicatolla adiacens(1), Gemella morbillorum(3), Streptococcus mitis(2), Streptococcus sanguinis(1), Aerococcus viridans (2), Streptococcus equinus(1), Leuconostoc spp.(1), Gemella haemolysans (1) and Lactococcus lactis spp.(1) respectively. 4. For supragingival biofilm, it is found that a variety of bacterial species detected, such as Aerococcus viridans(1), Gemella haemolysans(2), Leuconostoc spp.(2), Gemella morbillorum(1) and Pseudomonas fluoescens (1) respectively. 5. For subgingival biofilm, it is found that a variety of bacterial species detected, such as Leuconostoc spp.(1), Staphylococcus lugdunensis(1) and Streptococcus salivarius(1) respectively.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2020

The present study is aimed to assess the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm through teeth whitening light emitting diode (LED). Planktonic and dynamic biofilm state cultures of S. mutans were used. Erythrosine 20 μM/L was used as the photosensitizer. Irradiation was performed by exposing cultures to clinic and homecare whitening LEDs for 15 minutes. The viability was measured through Colony Forming Unit counts and confocal laser scanning microscopy. aPDT using whitening LEDs and erythrosine significantly decreased the CFU count of S. mutans compared to that in the control group. Dynamic biofilm group showed more resistant features to aPDT compared with planktonic state. Clinic and homecare whitening LED device showed similar antimicrobial effect. The whitening LED, which could irradiate the entire oral arch, showed a significant photodynamic effect on cariogenic S. mutans biofilm. aPDT mediated by erythrosine and LEDs used for teeth whitening exhibited promising antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.302-311
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of a sealant containing S-PRG filler compared to those of two contemporary commercial sealants to determine the inhibition of bacterial growth in broth culture and biofilm formation using the CDC Biofilm Reactor. The BeautiSealant containing S-PRG filler, the fluoride releasing Clinpro$^{TM}$ sealant, which are known to have higher antibacterial effects, and the non-fluoride releasing Concise$^{TM}$ sealant were selected for this study. A Streptococcus mutans culture in BHI broth without sealant served as a negative control in the planktonic growth inhibition test. As a result, bacterial growth was inhibited in all three sealant groups compared to that in the control. The Clinpro$^{TM}$ sealant showed a significantly reduced number of CFUs compared to those of the BeautiSealant and Concise$^{TM}$ sealants. However, no significant difference was detected between the BeautiSealant and Concise$^{TM}$ sealants. The Clinpro$^{TM}$ sealant significantly decreased biofilm formation compared to that by the BeautiSealant and Concise$^{TM}$ sealants. No significant difference was observed between the BeautiSealant and Concise$^{TM}$ sealants. In conclusion, the sealant containing S-PRG filler had a less potent anti-bacterial property and increased biofilm formation capacity compared to those of the fluoride releasing Clinpro$^{TM}$ sealant.