curcumin and Dental-Caries

Curcumin is a natural herb and polyphenol that is obtained from the medicinal plant Curcuma longa. It's anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and antifungal properties can be leveraged to treat a myriad of oral and systemic diseases. However, natural curcumin has weak solubility, limited bioavailability and undergoes rapid degradation, which severely limits its therapeutic potential. To overcome these drawbacks, nanocurcumin (nCur) formulations have been developed for improved biomaterial delivery and enhanced treatment outcomes. This novel biomaterial holds tremendous promise for the treatment of various oral diseases, the majority of which are caused by dental biofilm. These include dental caries, periodontal disease, root canal infection and peri-implant diseases, as well as other non-biofilm mediated oral diseases such as oral cancer and oral lichen planus. A number of in-vitro studies have demonstrated the antibacterial efficacy of nCur in various formulations against common oral pathogens such as S. mutans, P. gingivalis and E. faecalis, which are strongly associated with dental caries, periodontitis and root canal infection, respectively. In addition, some clinical studies were suggestive of the notion that nCur can indeed enhance the clinical outcomes of oral diseases such as periodontitis and oral lichen planus, but the level of evidence was very low due to the small number of studies and the methodological limitations of the available studies. The versatility of nCur to treat a diverse range of oral diseases augurs well for its future in dentistry, as reflected by rapid pace in which studies pertaining to this topic are published in the scientific literature. In order to keep abreast of the latest development of nCur in dentistry, this narrative review was undertaken. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a contemporaneous update of the chemistry, properties, mechanism of action, and scientific evidence behind the usage of nCur in dentistry.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biocompatible Materials; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Dentistry; Humans; Lichen Planus, Oral; Periodontitis

Dental caries is one of the most important oral health problems and a common infectious microbial disease. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) has been regarded as the primary etiologic factor in the formation of dental caries. Curcumin (CUR) has an antibacterial action and could be used in the eradication of S. mutans to control dental caries. This systematic review was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the anticaries effect of CUR.. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane - CENTRAL, and Scopus databases. Based on the PICO model, studies which evaluated the anticaries effects of CUR up until 24 February 2020 with language restrictions were selected for this systematic review.. From 753 papers found, 13 met the eligibility criteria and were included. In 12 out of 13 included studies, CUR had significant antibacterial and anticaries effects. CUR had inhibitory effects on S. mutans growth, acid production, ATPase and sortase A activity, biomass, viability and metabolism reduction of biofilm, reduced exopolysaccharide production of biofilms, changes in biofilm structure, and had anti-adhesion effects against S. mutans.. This systematic review suggests promising antibacterial and anticaries effects of CUR including inhibition of S. mutans growth, acid production, ATPase and sortase A activity. This review provides unique information regarding the potential role of CUR in the prevention and treatment of dental carries as a natural, accessible, safe, and inexpensive agent to increase oral and dental health. However, clinical randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Streptococcus mutans

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature followed by a meta-analysis about the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the microorganisms responsible for dental caries. The research question and the keywords were constructed according to the PICO strategy. The article search was done in Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Pubmed databases. Randomized clinical trials and in vitro studies were selected in the review. The study was conducted according the PRISMA guideline for systematic review. A total of 34 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and four articles were divided into two subgroups to perform the meta-analysis. Few studies have achieved an effective microbial reduction in microorganisms associated with the pathogenesis of dental caries. The results highlight that there is no consensus about the study protocols for PDT against cariogenic microorganisms, although the results showed the PDT could be a good alternative for the treatment of dental caries.

Topics: Bacteroidaceae Infections; Biofilms; Candida; Candidiasis; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Methylene Blue; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Rosaniline Dyes; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus; Tolonium Chloride; Treatment Outcome

The formation of white spot lesions (WSLs) around fixed orthodontic appliances is a major complication during treatment. The current double-blind, randomized clinical trial (RCT) study aims to investigate the varying effects of nanomicelle curcumin-based photodynamic therapy (NMCur-aPDT) on microbial count and virulence of Streptococcus mutans as well as the number and dynamics of WSLs.. Double-blind prospective RCT, comprised of 48 patients with fixed orthodontic appliances, were recruited for the current study. The patients were divided into four groups according to the type of the treatment (NMCur, LED, NMCur-aPDT or VITIS® anti-caries mouthwash), using block randomization. Antimicrobial and anti-virulence activities of the treatments against isolated S. mutans were assessed via colony counting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. The visual inspection using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) score and laser fluorescence (LF) detection using a DIAGNOdent device were used for the detection and assessment of the dynamics of WSLs, respectively, on the labial surface in four areas (i.e., gingival, incisal, mesial, and distal) of the upper and lower anterior teeth at 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120-days follow-up after bonding of the lower and upper arches.. The antimicrobial properties of NMCur, VITIS®, and NMCur-aPDT were time-dependent so the highest reduction in S. mutans population was observed following NMCur-aPDT (99.98%) on day 120 of the study. The gtfB gene expression levels in S. mutans isolates from the NMCur-aPDT group on days 60, 90, and 120 decreased by 2.07-, 2.32-, and 3.01-fold more than in S. mutans isolates from the VITIS® group, respectively (all P < 0.05), while NMCur and LED treatments could not significantly reduce gtfB gene expression up to 120 days of follow-up (P > 0.05). In patients who were treated with LED, an increase in the mean number of WSLs per patient (mean increase, 1.8; P < 0.05) was found, while in NMCur-aPDT and VITIS® groups, not only no increases were observed, but the mean number of WSLs per patient decreased (mean reductions, 0.5 and 0.9, respectively; not significant). LED treatment caused significant increases (P < 0.05) in the mean LF values at 90-and 120-days of follow-up in comparison with the baseline (mean increases, 5.1 and 6.5, respectively) while, in NMCur-aPDT, VITIS®, and NMCur groups 11.8-, 7.1-, and 4.4-reductions in the mean LF values were observed, respectively (all, P < 0.05).. The antimicrobial and anti-virulence activities of NMCur-aPDT against S. mutans were higher than the other treatment groups. In patients who were treated with NMCur-aPDT, the mean number and LF values of WSLs per patient were significantly lower than the other groups in 90-and 120-days of follow-up.

Topics: Biofilms; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Streptococcus mutans

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism responsible for how curcumin affects the biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans).. The antibacterial activity of curcumin was evaluated by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The mass of the biofilm was measured by crystal violet staining. Transcriptome sequencing was used to obtain all the transcript information associated with the biological activity of curcumin-treated S. mutans. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine the expression levels of related biofilm formation genes.. The MIC value for curcumin was 64 μM. Curcumin inhibited the formation of a biofilm by S. mutans and degraded mature biofilms. A gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly relevant to biofilm formation. In addition, 17 significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways (p ≤ 0.01) were identified and were potentially associated with the biochemical metabolic processes of S. mutans. DEGs associated with the biofilm formation of S. mutants, including gtfB, gtfC, rgpG, spaP, spxA1, spxA2, bacA, lrgB, and gshAB. The qRT-PCR results were consistent with transcriptome sequencing that the expression levels of gtfB, gtfC, rgpG, and spaP significantly decreased in the curcumin-treated group, whereas the expression levels of spx1, spx2, bacA, lrgB, and gshAB were up-regulated.. Curcumin showed marked inhibitory effects against the formation of biofilms by S. mutans and degradation of formed biofilms.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Streptococcus mutans

Nanoparticles and nanoparticle-loaded films based on chitosan/sodium alginate with curcumin (CUR) are promising strategies to improve the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the treatment of oral biofilms. This work aimed to develop and evaluate the nanoparticles based on chitosan and sodium alginate encapsulated with CUR dispersed in polymeric films associated with aPDT in oral biofilms. The NPs were obtained by polyelectrolytic complexation, and the films were prepared by solvent evaporation. The photodynamic effect was evaluated by counting Colony Forming Units (CFU/mL). Both systems showed adequate characterization parameters for CUR release. Nanoparticles controlled the release of CUR for a longer period than the nanoparticle-loaded films in simulated saliva media. Control and CUR-loaded nanoparticles showed a significant reduction of 3 log10 CFU/mL against S. mutans biofilms, compared to treatment without light. However, biofilms of S. mutans showed no photoinactivation effect using films loaded with nanoparticles even in the presence of light. These results demonstrate the potential of chitosan/sodium alginate nanoparticles associated with aPDT as carriers for the oral delivery of CUR, offering new possibilities to improve the treatment of dental caries and infections. This work will contribute to advances in the search for innovative delivery systems in dentistry.

Topics: Alginates; Biofilms; Chitosan; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Nanoparticles; Photochemotherapy

One of the major problems in fixed orthodontic treatments is the control of enamel demineralization, white spots lesions (WSL), and dental caries around the brackets, which can be stopped by strengthening the remineralization process. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of propolis nanoparticles (NPro) and nano-curcumin-based photodynamic therapy (NCur-PDT) in the remineralization of WSL ex vivo.. Experimental period was 5.5 months. After synthesis and characterization of NPro, the extracted bovine teeth were demineralized using a demineralization solution. They were divided into 7 groups (n=10) and treated in the following groups: 1) Negative control (artificial saliva), 2) Positive control or control of treatment (2% neutral sodium fluoride gel; NSF), 3) Nano-curcumin (NCur), 4) NPro, 5) Diode laser irradiation (light), 6) NCur with irradiation (NCur-PDT) and 7) NPro plus NCur-PDT (NPro+NCur-PDT). The treatment duration was 3 months and each treatment was conducted on T1 (the end of the third week), T2 (the end of the sixth week), T3 (the end of the ninth week), and T4 (the end of the twelfth week). Then, the microhardness, surface changes, and surface topography of the enamel were examined using digital hardness tester, DIAGNOdent Pen Reading, and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively.. In all groups, after demineralization, the microhardness of tooth enamel decreased and after each of the treatments, the amount of microhardness significantly increased over time except light and artificial saliva groups. The earliest significant change in microhardness improvement was observed in the NPro+NCur-PDT group at T2 (P<0.05). Also, at T2, DIAGNODent Pen revealed the earliest significant improved change in the level of mineralization degree in the NPro+NCur-PDT group. NCur and light irradiation groups alone, like the control group (artificial saliva), did not lead to remineralization (P>0.05). Also, the NPro+NCur-PDT treatment results obtained from SEM after the last treatment in the twelfth week showed that remineralization in that group has significantly improved compared to other groups.. The results of this study showed that combined use of NPro and NCur-PDT had more enamel remineralization efficacy in a shorter period. Simultaneous application of NPro and NCur-PDT had also a stronger therapeutic effect after 3 months.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Photochemotherapy; Propolis; Saliva, Artificial; Tooth Remineralization

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Dental Materials; Humans; Materials Testing; Methacrylates; Photochemotherapy; Resins, Synthetic; Streptococcus mutans

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using natural photosensitive agents is an effective method for preventing oral diseases of bacterial origin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of aPDT, using powdered extracts of Chlorella and Curcuma, on the biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a bacterium that is known to cause dental caries.. Commercially available powdered Chlorella and Curcuma extracts were used as photosensitizers. S. mutans, cultured for 2 days, was inoculated (0.1 ml; 1 × 109 CFU/ml) on the surface of a hydroxyapatite (HA) disc and incubated for 24 h to allow the formation of a biofilm. The HA disc with the S. mutans biofilm was immersed in either Curcuma extract (0.5 mg/ml), Chlorella extract, distilled water (negative control), or Listerine (positive control) for 1 min and then irradiated with an LED (Qraycam; wavelength, 405 nm; energy, 59 mW) for 5 min.. The application of aPDT with Curcuma or Chlorella extract to S. mutans 24-hour biofilms significantly decreased the number of viable cells and the live/dead cell ratio when compared with those in the negative control (distilled water; p < 0.05).. aPDT using 405 nm light and Chlorella or Curcuma as a photosensitizer has significant antimicrobial effects against S. mutans biofilms. Thus, employing aPDT with natural plant extracts as photosensitizers could be an effective strategy for preventing dental caries but needs to be evaluated in properly controlled clinical trials..

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Chlorella; Curcuma; Dental Caries; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Plant Extracts; Streptococcus mutans

Inactivation of microorganisms related to dental caries has been considered the therapy of choice in the treatment of caries. The proposed study aims to assess the effect of sonodynamic excitation of nanomicelle curcumin (NM@Cur) compared to Cur for eradication of Streptococcus mutans under sonodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (SACT).. The NM@Cur as a sonosensitizer was synthesized and its morphology, particle size distribution, zeta potential, and physical stability were then determined. After evaluating the Cur and NM@Cur uptake in S. mutans strain, Cur- and NM@Cur-SACT effects were determined on colony forming unit (CFU/mL) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of Cur- and NM@Cur-SACT on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells were assessed using MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively.. Transmission electron microscope, particle size distribution, and zeta potential analysis confirmed successful synthesis of NM@Cur. The finding of this study showed that an incubation time of 5 min to 1 h was sufficient to achieve maximal uptake of Cur and NM@Cur in S. mutans. SACT with Cur at a concentration of 50 mM and ultrasound intensity at 1.56 W/cm. Overall, this study revealed that NM@Cur-mediated SACT with the least cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects and the highest cellular uptake, ROS production, and antimicrobial activites could effectively inhibit the growth of the S. mutans in compare with Cur.

Topics: Cell Line; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Stability; Humans; Micelles; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species; Streptococcus mutans

Dental caries originate due to the localized dissolution of the hard tissues of teeth, mainly caused by acids, developed by the presence of microorganisms in the biofilm (dental plaque) on the surface of teeth causing "cavities". Commercially available liquid mouthwashes containing synthetic active ingredients possess limitations like teeth staining, higher alcoholic content, taste disturbances, xerostomia, and stability issues.. To make the solid preparation for oral hygiene (US6428770B1) in the form of herbal effervescent mouthwash tablet (CN106619318A, US8728446B2) using Azadirachta indica and Curcumin having antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiplaque, and anti-inflammatory activity.. The optimization study of effervescent granules was performed by 33 factorial design. A total of 27 preliminary experimental batches were prepared by the fusion method, varying the amount of citric acid, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate. A complex of curcumin was prepared with hydroxyl propyl β-cyclodextrin and further examined by scanning electron microscopy. The prepared tablets were evaluated for pre and post-compression parameters. The in vitro antimicrobial study was performed by Agar well diffusion method against S. mutans.. All the experimental batches of effervescent granules were evaluated for pH, effervescent time, and CO2 content. Six batches were further selected for final tablet preparation. The results of the pre-compression parameters revealed excellent flow properties and post-compression parameters; the results were also significant. The antimicrobial study revealed the F3 as a final best formulation.. The developed herbal formulation (F3) has a good potential to maintain oral hygiene as compared to alcoholic mouthwash and further studies may be necessary to confirm the efficacy of the formulation since only a single bacterial strain was assayed.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Azadirachta; Biofilms; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Drug Compounding; Excipients; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mouthwashes; Oral Hygiene; Patents as Topic; Plant Preparations; Streptococcus mutans; Tablets

Health is an important element that influences the level of development in a community. Studies show that tooth decay has been prevalent recently. Starch incorporating curcumin can serve as an alternative approach in preventing the activity of Streptococcus mutans attributed to biofilm and plaque formation on teeth. In this research, the performance of starch nanoparticle as a carrier for curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory and a strong antioxidant agent, in decreasing dental caries was simulated. In the first stage, the conformational rearrangements of molecules and their interactions with other molecular species in a range of environments were examined via computational techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The charts of energy, temperature, density, cell size and the radial distribution function (RDF) derived from the simulation, confirmed that during 5 initial steps there was a stable binding between the curcumin and starch in the presence of bacteria. The energy released in the starch formed nanosphere is very high, and this indicates a full reaction in the system. However, the density-decreasing trend of nanosystem suggests that it can effectively inhibit the activity of microorganism.

Topics: Carbohydrate Conformation; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Nanoparticles; Polysaccharides; Starch; Streptococcus mutans; Temperature

Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) is commonly applied as positive control of new antimicrobials, because it is considered the gold-standard for chemical plaque control. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of treatments with curcumin-mediated aPDT and CHX in relation to the viability of specific microorganism groups in two distinct times (immediately and 24 h later).. Dentin caries microcosms were grown on bovine dentin discs (37 °C, anaerobiosis) for 3 days in the Active Attachment Amsterdam Biofilm Model. The biofilms were treated with 300 μM curcumin and 75 J.cm. Curcumin-mediated aPDT (C + L+), 0.06% and 0.12% CHX reduced mutans streptococci counts (0.19, 0.10 and 0.07 log10 respectively) in the immediate analysis. After 24 h, it was observed a re-growth of microorganisms treated by curcumin-mediated aPDT, whereas both CHX concentrations demonstrated a decrease of the viable microorganisms.. This study confirmed the substantive effect of CHX and the immediate effect of aPDT. The use of a neutralizer solution was important to block the substantivity of CHX and permit its fair comparison with aPDT, allowing its use as a positive control in further studies.

Topics: Biofilms; Child; Chlorhexidine; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Dentin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Lactobacillus; Microbial Viability; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Research Design; Stem Cells; Streptococcus mutans

To our knowledge, there is still no evidence in relation to the combination of curcumin with chelants to improve the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on complex dental caries biofilms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of curcumin-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-mediated aPDT on the vitality of intact biofilms of dentin caries microcosms. Biofilms were grown on glass slabs in McBain medium plus 1% sucrose in microaerophily at 37 °C for 5 days. Then, biofilms were treated with associations of 600 μmol L

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Chelating Agents; Child; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Microbial Viability; Microscopy, Confocal; Photochemotherapy; Streptococcus mutans

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Chlorhexidine; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Confocal; Streptococcus mutans; Virulence Factors

Dental caries is a big public health problem which is prevalent in the highest degree worldwide, especially in lower socioeconomic levels. This study aims to investigate the anti-caries effects of Curcumin in Turmeric on the caries model of enamel under laboratory conditions.. In order to make a reliable model of caries, a Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 3568) bacterium was used. The biofilm was created on enamel slabs in 5 days. There were 5 groups of slabs. In order to create Cariogenic conditions, the slabs were exposed to Sucrose 10% three times a day and then, it was exposed to different concentrations of Curcumin (5, 10, 20 mg/ml). The slabs of one group were exposed to the normal saline after the exposure to Sucrose and called positive caries control group; and the other group was exposed to normal saline in each time of exposure which was called negative caries control groups. Environment PH was measured by PH meter two times in a day. After the laboratory phase, the slabs were washed and dried and Vickers hardness test was used to determine the superficial hardness and then the decrease rate of superficial hardness (SHL%) was measured by the approved formula. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data. Then, to analyse the data, One-way ANOVA with 95% confidence, Kolmogorov - Smirnov, and Tukey test was used.. The present study showed that Curcumin can have anti caries effect at the most level even in the least level of concentration used in this study (5 mg/ml). With regard to changes in PH of environment, we can declare that Curcumin results in reducing the dental caries by restraining the bacterial activity.. Regarding that these results were received in laboratory conditions, further studies are needed.

Topics: Cariostatic Agents; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Dental Enamel; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; In Vitro Techniques; Streptococcus mutans; Sucrose; Tooth Demineralization

To our knowledge, there is a lack of evidence on the effect of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) by the application of curcumin against complex biofilms of dental caries lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the viability, vitality, and acid metabolism of infected dentin caries microcosms treated with curcumin-mediated aPDT.. After microcosm biofilms growing anaerobically on bovine dentin disks immersed in McBain medium with 1% sucrose at 37 °C for 5 days, the biofilms were treated by the association of DMSO water solution or 600 μmol L. Curcumin alone did not affect the viability of microorganisms and the vitality of intact biofilms. However, 75 J cm. Therefore, curcumin-mediated aPDT was effective in reducing the viability and the vitality of infected dentin caries microcosms, without interfering in their acidogenicity.

Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Cattle; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Dentin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Lactic Acid; Lactobacillaceae; Microscopy, Confocal; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Streptococcaceae

The aim of this study was investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using curcumin (C) as a photosensitizing agent irradiated with an LED (L) in the blue wavelength as a light source on a standard and clinical isolate of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in a planktonic suspension model.. Suspensions of both strains were divided into 4 groups as follows: absence of C and L (control group: C-L-), with C and without L (C group: C+L-), absence of C with L (L group: C-L+) and presence of C and L (PDT group: C+L+). Three different concentrations of curcumin (0.75 mg/ml, 1.5 mg/ml and 3 mg/ml) and three light fluences of studied light source (24, 48 and 72 J cm(-2)) were tested. Aliquots of each studied group was plated in BHI agar and submitted to colony forming units counting (CFU/ml) and the data transformed into logarithmical scale.. A high photoinactivation rate of more than 70% was verified to standard S. mutans strain submitted to PDT whereas the clinical isolate showed a lower sensitivity to all the associations of curcumin and LED. A slight bacterial reduction was verified to C+L- and C-L+, demonstrating no toxic effects to the isolated application of light and photosensitizer to both S. mutans strains tested.. Photodynamic therapy using a combination of curcumin and blue LED presented a substantial antimicrobial effect on S. mutans standard strain in a planktonic suspension model with a less pronounced effect on its clinical isolate counterparts due to resistance to this alternative approach.. Alternative antimicrobial approaches, as photodynamic therapy, should be encouraged due to optimal results against cariogenic bacteria aiming to prevent or treat dental caries.

Topics: Bacterial Load; Bacteriological Techniques; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Microbial Viability; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Radiation Dosage; Streptococcus mutans

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy has been proposed as an alternative to suppress subgingival species. This results from the balance among Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in the dental biofilm. Not all the photosensitizers have the same photodynamic effect against the different microorganims. The objective of this study is to compare in vitro the photodynamic effect of methylene blue (MB), rose Bengal (RB) and curcumin (CUR) in combination with white light on the cariogenic microorganism S. mutans, S. sanguis and C. albicans.. Photodynamic therapy with MB, RB and CUR inhibited 6 log 10 the growth of both bacteria but at different concentrations: 0.31-0.62 μg/ml and 0.62-1.25 μg/ml RB were needed to photoinactivate S. mutans and S. sanguis, respectively; 1.25-2.5 μg/ml MB for both species; whereas higher CUR concentrations (80-160 μg/ml and 160-320 μg/ml) were required to obtain the same reduction in S. mutans and S. sanguis viability respectively. The minimal fungicidal concentration of MB for 5 log10 CFU reduction (4.5 McFarland) was 80-160 μg/ml, whereas for RB it ranged between 320 and 640 μg/ml. For CUR, even the maximum studied concentration (1280 μg/ml) did not reach that inhibition. Incubation time had no effect in all experiments.. Photodynamic therapy with RB, MB and CUR and white light is effective in killing S. mutans and S. sanguis strains, although MB and RB are more efficient than CUR. C. albicans required higher concentrations of all photosensitizers to obtain a fungicidal effect, being MB the most efficient and CUR ineffective.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Curcumin; Dental Caries; In Vitro Techniques; Methylene Blue; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Rose Bengal; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sanguis

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique that involves the activation of photosensitizers by light in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the production of reactive radicals that are capable of inducing cell death. The present study evaluated the susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus to PDT grown as multi-species in the biofilm phase versus in dentine carious lesions. A brain-heart infusion culture medium supplemented with 1% glucose, 2% sucrose, and 1% young primary culture of L. acidophilus 10(8) CFU/mL and S. mutans 10(8) CFU/mL was used to develop multi-species biofilms and to induce caries on human dentine slabs. Five different concentrations of curcumin (0.75, 1.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 g/L) were used associated with 5.7 J/cm(2) light emission diode. Four different groups were analyzed L-D- (control group), L-D+ (drug group), L+D- (light group), and L+D+ (PDT group). ANOVA/Tukey's tests were conducted to compare groups. A significant reduction (p <0.05) in cell viability was observed in the biofilm phase following photosensitization with all curcumin concentrations tested. To achieve significant bacterial reduction (p <0.05) in carious dentine, it was necessary to utilize 5.0 g/L of curcumin in association with blue light. No significant reduction was found for L-D+, supporting the absence of the drug's dark toxicity. S. mutans and L. acidophilus were susceptible to curcumin in the presence of blue light. However, due to light penetration and drug diffusion difficulties, these microorganisms within dentine carious lesions were less affected than they were in the biofilm phase.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Cell Survival; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Equipment Design; Humans; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Molar, Third; Photochemotherapy; Streptococcus mutans

The presence of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in dental structure is an indicator of a cariogenic biofilm. Photodynamic therapy is a technique that involves the activation of photosensitizers by light in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the production of reactive radicals capable of inducing cell death. Reduction of bacteria levels can provide additional means of preventing dental caries.. The present study evaluated the susceptibility of planktonic cultures of S. mutans (ATCC 25175) and L. acidophilus (ATCC-IAL-523) from the Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL) to photodynamic therapy after sensitization with curcumin and exposure to blue light at 450 nm.. Bacterial suspensions of S. mutans and L. acidophilus isolated (as single species) and combined (multspecies) were prepared and then evaluated. Four different groups were analyzed: L-D- (control group), L-D+ (drug group), L+D- (light group), and L+D+ (photodynamic therapy group). Two different concentrations of curcumin were tested (0.75 and 1.5 g/L) associated with a 5.7 J/cm(2) light emission diode.. Significant decreases (p<0.05) in the viability of S. mutans were only observed when the bacterial suspensions were exposed to both curcumin and light. Then, reductions in viability of up to 99.99% were observed when using 1.5 g/L of the photosensitizer. The susceptibility of L. acidophilus was considerably lower (21% and 37.6%) for both curcumin concentrations.. Photodynamic therapy was found to be effective in reducing S. mutans and L. acidophilus on planktonic cultures. No significant reduction was found for L-D+, proving the absence of dark toxicity of the drug.

Topics: Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Photochemotherapy; Streptococcus mutans