Fruit and vegetable extracts as source for anti-adhesion agents against oral bacteria

Anti adhesion-based therapy of bacterial infections have been recognised as new promising alternative approach as resistance of bacteria to the commercial available antiobiotics is constantly on the rise. This approach has been studied on oral bacteria using various food stuff as source to obtain fractions that inhibit bacterial inter-genera or inter-species interactions, also known as coaggregation, and the adhesion of oral bacteria to cells and teeth. In this study we tested extracts and fractions from fruits and vegetables for their ability to inhibit adhesion and coaggregation of oral bacteria

Nutraceutics in Lentinus edodes inhibiting virulence-related properties of oral pathogenic bacteria

Caries is the most common oral infectious disease in the world. Its development is influenced also by diet components that interfere with pathogen mutans group Streptococci activity. A very active research to identify functional foods and their components that are generally recognized as safe has been ongoing, with the aim of developing alternative approaches, to the use of synthetic chlorhexidine, and at the reduction or prevention of caries. Until now convincing evidence exists only for green tea as a functional food for oral health, partly owing to its high content of catechins, especially epigallocatechin-gallate. Our previous research showed that an active Cichorium intybus fraction contained oxalic, succinic, shikimic and quinic acids. A number of tests carried out using the commercial standards confirmed their capacity in interfering with the growth and virulence traits (i.e., biofilm formation, adherence to epithelial cells and hydroxyapatite) of oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Prevotella intermedia, even in different way and entity. NUTRIDENT consortium groups went on with investigation on Lentinus edodes extract. It was very active above all against caries pathogen virulence traits. Applying bio-guided purification steps, a very active fraction containing nitrogenous bases besides quinic acid was isolated. The quinic acid level was measured using a simple HILIC-UV method developed in our laboratory

ISOLATION OF ORGANIC ACIDS FROM CICHORIUM INTYBUS WITH POTENTIAL ANTI-CARIES AND ANTI-GINGIVITIS ACTIVITY

In this study we investigated the compounds occurring in Cichorium intybus var. silvestre (red chicory) in order to verify their potential contribution to the capability of the low molecular mass (LMM) extract components1 to inhibit virulence-linked properties of oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Prevotella intermedia2-7. The obtained results showed that in C. intybus a number of LMM active components occur able to interfere with growth and virulence traits of oral pathogens responsible for gengivitis and tooth decay. Among these we focused our attention on oxalic, succinic, shikimic and quinic acids identified using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Overall, succinic acid and quinic acid seem to posses the highest potential as regards anti-caries and anti-gingivitis activity. Since their activity in vitro is mainly directed towards biofilm formation and disruption, it is likely that, in vivo, they might interfere with plaque formation that is a prerequisite for both caries and gingivitis development. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) under the contract FOOD-CT-2006-036210 (Project NUTRIDENT)

ISOLATION OF ORGANIC ACIDS FROM CICHORIUM INTYBUS WITH POTENTIAL ANTI-CARIES AND ANTI-GINGIVITIS ACTIVITY

In this study we investigated the compounds occurring in Cichorium intybus var. silvestre (red chicory) in order to verify their potential contribution to the capability of the low molecular mass (LMM) extract components1 to inhibit virulence-linked properties of oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Prevotella intermedia2-7. The obtained results showed that in C. intybus a number of LMM active components occur able to interfere with growth and virulence traits of oral pathogens responsible for gengivitis and tooth decay. Among these we focused our attention on oxalic, succinic, shikimic and quinic acids identified using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Overall, succinic acid and quinic acid seem to posses the highest potential as regards anti-caries and anti-gingivitis activity. Since their activity in vitro is mainly directed towards biofilm formation and disruption, it is likely that, in vivo, they might interfere with plaque formation that is a prerequisite for both caries and gingivitis development. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) under the contract FOOD-CT-2006-036210 (Project NUTRIDENT)

Adhesive microbeads for the targeting delivery of anticaries agents of vegetable origin

The formulation of quinic acid, a food constituent demonstrating potential anticaries and antigingivitis properties, was investigated in an adhesive microparticulate delivery system with the goal of improving its effect by prolonging its residence time at the site of action. Alginate and chitosan were selected as mucoadhesive polymers. The microspheres were prepared by coacervation. Different types of alginates, polymers blends and crosslinking agent concentrations were considered and evaluated. The best results in terms of encapsulation efficiency, in vitro active agent release profile and in vitro adhesive properties, both to oral mucosa and to teeth surface, were obtained with a blend of Alginate Protanal LF200S: Alginate Protanal LF120LS 1:1.5 w/w, 0.1 M CaCl2, and chitosan coating, prepared by a one-step complex coacervation method. This microparticulate delivery system showed prolonged release of quinic acid, and could be used as an active component in chewing gums or mouthwashes for both caries and gingivitis prevention

Identification of organic acids in Cichorium intybus inhibiting virulence-related properties of oral pathogenic bacteria

The low molecular mass (LMM) extract of Cichorium intybus var. silvestre (red chicory) has been shown to inhibit virulence-linked properties of oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Prevotella intermedia. In the present study HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS2 was used to investigate the compounds contained in such extract for their anti virulence activity. We found that the extract contains a number of components including oxalic, succinic, shikimic and quinic acids, which interfere with the growth and virulence traits (i.e. biofilm formation, adherence to epithelial cells and HA) of oral pathogens involved in gingivitis and tooth decay. Succinic and quinic acid seem to be the most potent, mainly by interfering with the ability of oral pathogens to form biofilms (either through inhibition of its development and promotion of its disruption). Our findings suggest that one or more of these compounds may modulate plaque formation in vivo, which is a prerequisite for the development of both caries and gingivitis