The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel

Abstract Background Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity formation, is one of the world’s most widespread dental conditions. It is a plaque-related infection caused mainly by Streptococcus mutans. People have relied on several plant species to treat oral infections; Heteropyxis natalen...

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Main Authors: Cynthia J. Henley-Smith, Anna-Mari Kok, Francien S. Botha, Chantelle Baker, Namrita Lall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04707-8
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author Cynthia J. Henley-Smith
Anna-Mari Kok
Francien S. Botha
Chantelle Baker
Namrita Lall
author_facet Cynthia J. Henley-Smith
Anna-Mari Kok
Francien S. Botha
Chantelle Baker
Namrita Lall
author_sort Cynthia J. Henley-Smith
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity formation, is one of the world’s most widespread dental conditions. It is a plaque-related infection caused mainly by Streptococcus mutans. People have relied on several plant species to treat oral infections; Heteropyxis natalensis, for example, has been used to treat toothache and gum infections. Methods In this study, the antimicrobial and anti-adherence properties of H. natalensis and Camellia sinensis, as well as tea tree and peppermint essential oils were investigated on tooth enamel. Results The bacterial load of S. mutans was reduced by approximately two orders of a magnitude after 48 h, with a lesser extent on the commensal bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei. Scanning electron micrographs of enamel blocks showed a reduction in the attachment and chain formation of S. mutans and degraded cell morphology. Lastly, the combination and each component individually, showed low to no cellular toxicity when tested on human macrophages. Conclusions This is the first report of this polyherbal regarding its selectivity and potential prevention of dental caries.
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spelling doaj-art-64ed6c565be7407db2dd157fc7fd9f992025-08-20T02:33:00ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712024-11-012411810.1186/s12906-024-04707-8The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamelCynthia J. Henley-Smith0Anna-Mari Kok1Francien S. Botha2Chantelle Baker3Namrita Lall4Department of Plant and Soil Science, Faculty of Natural and Agriculture Sciences, University of PretoriaDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, Faculty of Natural and Agriculture Sciences, University of PretoriaElectron Microscope Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityElectron Microscope Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, Faculty of Natural and Agriculture Sciences, University of PretoriaAbstract Background Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity formation, is one of the world’s most widespread dental conditions. It is a plaque-related infection caused mainly by Streptococcus mutans. People have relied on several plant species to treat oral infections; Heteropyxis natalensis, for example, has been used to treat toothache and gum infections. Methods In this study, the antimicrobial and anti-adherence properties of H. natalensis and Camellia sinensis, as well as tea tree and peppermint essential oils were investigated on tooth enamel. Results The bacterial load of S. mutans was reduced by approximately two orders of a magnitude after 48 h, with a lesser extent on the commensal bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei. Scanning electron micrographs of enamel blocks showed a reduction in the attachment and chain formation of S. mutans and degraded cell morphology. Lastly, the combination and each component individually, showed low to no cellular toxicity when tested on human macrophages. Conclusions This is the first report of this polyherbal regarding its selectivity and potential prevention of dental caries.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04707-8Anti-adherenceCariesHeteropyxis natalensisLactobacillus paracaseiOral cavityStreptococcus mutans
spellingShingle Cynthia J. Henley-Smith
Anna-Mari Kok
Francien S. Botha
Chantelle Baker
Namrita Lall
The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Anti-adherence
Caries
Heteropyxis natalensis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Oral cavity
Streptococcus mutans
title The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
title_full The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
title_fullStr The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
title_full_unstemmed The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
title_short The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
title_sort effect of a poly herbal plant extract on the adhesion of streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel
topic Anti-adherence
Caries
Heteropyxis natalensis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Oral cavity
Streptococcus mutans
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04707-8
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