Effects Of The Mixture Of Prunus Mume And Galla Chinesis On Growth And Cell Adherence Of Streptococcus Mutans

ObjectiveTwenty traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) were evaluated for their antimicr-obial activity against Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) in order to screen a TCMwhich had the strongest antibacterial activity from them. And the effect of combinedapplication of the elected TCM and Prunus mume on the growth and cell adherence ofS.mutans would be tested. This study will lay the foundation for developing an oralantimicrobial agent to control or prevent caries.MethodTwenty TCMs suspension of1g/ml were determined their inhibition zonediameters against S.mutans by disk diffusion assay so as to screen a TCM which hadthe strongest antibacterial activity from them. Next, agar dilution assay was used todetermine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of Prunus mume, the TCMhad picked out and the combined application of them against S.mutans. The effect ofmixed solutions of them, with concentrations lower than MIC range, on bacterialadherence to a glass surface was also assessed by plate count.ResultTen TCMs appeared different size inhibition zones against S.mutans, and Gallachinensis had the biggest inhibition zone diameter (10.34±0.15mm) among them.Consequently, Galla chinensis was finally selected as the experimental drug for thefollow-up study. The MIC values for Prunus mume and Galla chinensis againstS.mutans were separately80mg/ml and40mg/ml. And the combined application ofPrunus mume and Galla chinensis could lower using concentration of bothcomponents. For instance, Galla chinensis at a concentration of10mg/ml combinedwith Prunus mume at a concentration of40mg/ml could reach MIC. And there were significant differences in adherence of S.mutans to the smooth glass surface amongseven doses of the mixture of Prunus mume and Galla Chinesis, and the inhibitionwas dose-dependent.ConclusionDuring twenty experimental TCMs, Galla chinensis had the most significantinhibitory effects against S.mutans in vitro. And the combined application of Gallachinensis and Prunus mume could significantly lower using concentration of bothcomponents. What is more, there were significant differences in adherence ofS.mutans to the smooth glass surface among seven doses of the mixture of Prunusmume and Galla Chinesis, and the inhibition was dose-dependent. The mixture ofPrunus mume and Galla Chinesis may be a potential candidate for developing an oralantimicrobial agent to control or prevent dental diseases associated with oralpathogenic bacteria.