Exploration of the antimicrobial synergy between selected natural substances on Streptococcus mutans to identify candidates for the control of dental caries

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Authors
Prince, Alisha
Roy, Soumya
McDonald, J. David
Advisors
Issue Date
2022-04-21
Type
Article
Keywords
Streptococcus mutans , Cranberry extracts , Proanthocyanidins , Manuka honey , Methylglyoxal , Antimicrobial combinations , Antimicrobial synergy
Research Projects
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Citation
Prince, A., Roy, S., & McDonald, D. (2022). Exploration of the Antimicrobial Synergy between Selected Natural Substances on Streptococcus mutans to Identify Candidates for the Control of Dental Caries. Microbiology Spectrum, 10(3), e02357-02321. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.02357-21
Abstract

Dental caries is caused by the buildup of acidic end products that result from the metabolism of dental plaque microbes. Natural products that are widely available could be used as an alternative or adjunctive anti-caries therapy. Sometimes, when two products are used together, they yield a more powerful antimicrobial effect than the anticipated additive effect. These synergistic combinations are often better treatment options because individual agents may not have sufficient antimicrobial action to be effective when used alone. Cranberries contain phenolic compounds like proanthocyanidins (PAC) that disrupt biofilm formation. Manuka honey has high concentrations of the agent methylglyoxal (MGO), which is cariostatic. Because these agents have varied modes of antimicrobial action, they show potential for possible synergistic effects when paired. Various cranberry extracts were tested pairwise with manuka honey or MGO by well-diffusion assays and 96-well checkerboard assays in the presence of Streptococcus mutans to test for synergy. Synergy was demonstrated in cranberry extracts Type R and RE when paired with manuka honey and MGO. The synergistic combinations found in this research thus can be considered candidates for the formulation of a dentifrice that could be used to inhibit the formation of dental plaque and thereby avoid the development of caries.

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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Journal
Book Title
Series
Microbiology Spectrum
Volume 10, No. 3
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
2165-0497
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