J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2022 Sep;46(3):129-134. 10.11149/jkaoh.2022.46.3.129.

The inhibitory effects of Rheum palmatum extract on the growth of oral streptococci and biofilm formation

• Kim SY
• Song Y
• Lee HA
• Na HS
• Chung J

• KMID: 2534107
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2022.46.3.129

Abstract

Objectives
Oral streptococci play a significant role in the development of dental caries. Among them, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the principal causative agents of dental caries. Rheum palmatum is a flowering plant of the family Polygonaceae with several known medicinal properties. However, its effects on oral streptococci have yet to be established. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Rheum palmatum for its potential use as an anticaries agent in inhibiting the growth of streptococci and preventing biofilm formation.
Methods
Rheum palmatum extract was diluted with sterile distilled water to obtain various extract concentrations. Several strains of oral bacteria, including S. mutans and S. sobrinus, were treated with the varying concentrations. The effects of the extract on bacterial growth was examined using the viable cell count method. Glucan synthesis was measured using a spectrophotometer at 650 nm optical density. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to observe the effect of the extract on biofilm formation.
Results
The growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was significantly inhibited by the Rheum palmatum solution at concentrations of 0.3% or more compared to the control group. The viable cell count results indicated that the number of bacterial colonies decreased 1.2-fold and 1.7-fold at concentrations of 1.25% and 2.5%, respectively, compared to the control group. Biofilm formation by S. mutans and S. sobrinus was suppressed more than 20-fold compared to the control group at extract concentrations of 1.25% or more.
Conclusions
The extract inhibited the growth of caries-causing bacteria, namely S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Furthermore, the extract inhibited the synthesis of glucan and biofilm formation by S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Therefore, this study suggests that the extract is a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent for controlling dental caries.

Keyword

Biofilm; Growth; Rheum palmatum; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sobrinus

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Effect of Rheum palmatum extract on the growth of oral streptococci. Oral streptococcal species were treated with Rheum palmatum extract solution of 1.25% to 2.5% and optical densities were measured at 650 nm after incubation of 37℃ for 24 h.

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  Fig. 2 Effect of Rheum palmatum extract on the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus by viable cell count. S. mutans and S. sobrinus were treated with or without Rheum palmatum extract at 37℃ overnight and viable cells were counted on BHI agar plates. **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.

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  Fig. 3 Effect of Rheum palmatum extract on the biofilm formation. The biofilm was produced by S. mutans and S. sobrinus at 37℃ for 72 h, washed with PBS, stained with crystal violet and measured by detecting optical densities at 540 nm using spectrophotometer. *P<0.05.

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  Fig. 4 Effect of Rheum palmatum extract on the glucan synthesis. S. mutans and S. sobrinus were grown in BHIS broth with or without Rheum palmatum extract at 37℃ overnight. The culture solution was centrifuged and the optical densities of the culture supernatants were measured at 650 nm to determine glucan synthesis. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.

Reference

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