B. Bueno-Silvaa,b, H. Koob, M.L. Falsettab, S.M. Alencarc, M. Ikegakid and P.L. Rosalena*
Institutions
aDepartment of Physiologic Science, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Piracicaba, Brazil; bCenter for Oral Biology and Eastman Department of Dentistry, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA; cCollege of Agriculture ‘Luiz de Queiroz’ (ESALQ/USP), Piracicaba, Brazil; dDepartment of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
Abstract
The present study examined the influences of the neovestitol–vestitol (NV) containing fraction isolated from Brazilian red propolis on the development of biofilm and expression of virulence factors by Streptococcus mutans using saliva- coated surfaces of hydroxyapatite. In addition, NV was tested in a rodent model of dental caries to assess its potential effectiveness in vivo. Topical applications of NV (800 μg ml−1) significantly impaired the accumulation of biofilms of S. mutans by largely disrupting the synthesis of glucosyltransferase-derived exopolysaccharides and the expression of genes associated with the adaptive stress response, such as copYAZ and sloA. Of even greater impact, NV was as effective as fluoride (positive control) in reducing the development of carious lesions in vivo. NV is a promising natural anti-biofilm agent that targets essential virulence traits in S. mutans, which are associated with the formation of cario- genic biofilm and the subsequent onset of dental caries disease.
* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.