Prevention of artificial dental plaque formation in vitro by plant extracts

Smullen, J; Finney, M; Storey, DM; Foster, HA

Abstract

Aims A number of previous studies have shown that plant extracts can inhibit formation of dental plaque. The ability of extracts of Rosemarinus officianalis L., Salvia officianalis L., unfermented cocoa, red grape seed and green tea to inhibit plaque bacteria, glucosyltransferase activity, glycan and plaque formation in an in vitro model using bovine teeth was examined.
Methods and Results The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts against oral bacteria was determined using a standard susceptibility agar dilution technique. Inhibition of growth and acid production from glucose and sucrose by Streptococcus mutans in liquid culture was investigated. Prevention of plaque formation on bovine teeth initiated by S. mutans was studied using an artificial mouth. The plant extracts inhibited the growth of oral bacteria and prevented acid production by S. mutans. Extracts inhibited glucosylytransferase activity and glycan production and inhibited adhesion to glass. Extracts of R. officianalis L. and S. officianalis L. reduced plaque growth by >80%. Green tea extract completely inhibited plaque formation but resulted in a greenish discolouration of the teeth which could not be removed by scrubbing.
Conclusions The plant extracts, particularly those from R. officianalis L. and S. officianalis L., inhibited glucosyl tranferase activity, glycan production and plaque formation in vitro.
Significance and Impact of Study The results suggest that the extracts of R. officianalis L. and S. officianalis L. may be useful as antiplaque agents in foods and dental preparations. Bovine teeth can be used as an alternative to hydroxyapatite for studies of plaque formation but they need to be carefully sterilised before use.

Citation

Smullen, J., Finney, M., Storey, D., & Foster, H. (2012). Prevention of artificial dental plaque formation in vitro by plant extracts. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 113(4), 964-973. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05380.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2013
• Journal: Journal of Applied Microbiology
• Print ISSN: 1364-5072
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 113
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 964-973
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05380.x
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05380.x
• Related Public URLs: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291365-2672
• Additional Information: Funders : Cadbury-Schweppes