[Experimental study of bacteriostatic activity of Chinese herbal medicines on primary cariogenic bacteria in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To screen some Chinese herbal medicines for their inhibitory activity on cariogenic bacteria, and investigate their active ingredients, and measure their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).


METHODS
Active components were isolated from every tested Chinese herbal medicine by means of aqueous extraction and ethanolic extraction. Berberine was purified from Coptis chinensis Fra. Disk agar diffusion method was employed in screening herbs with inhibiting effect on cariogenic bacteria. MIC and MBC were determined by broth dilution method.


RESULTS
Against Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt, MBCs of Magnolia officinalis ethanolic extract, Berberine, Coptis chinensis Fra aqueous extract and Coptis chinensis Fra ethanolic extract were 0.488, 0.625, 7.800 and 1.950 g/L respectively. Against Streptococcus sobrinus 6715, MBCs of Magnolia extract, Coptis chinensis Fra ethanolic extract, Rhus chinensis Mill ethanolic extract and Phellodendron chinen ethanolic extract were 0.488, 0.625, 1.950, 3.900, 3.900 and 3.900 g/L respectively. Against Actinomyces viscosus ATCC 19246, MBCs of Berberine, Coptis chinensis Fra aqueous extract, Coptis chinensis Fra ethanolic extract, Rheum palmatum L aqueous extract and Rheum palmatum L ethanolic extract were 1.250, 3.900, 3.900, 15.600 and 31.250 g/L respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnolia officinalis, Coptis chinensis Fran, Rheum palmatum L aqueous extracts exhibit strong inhibition on cariogenic bacteria. Magnolia officinalis ethanolic extract has the strongest bactericidal effects on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus.
Wang
S
S
Department of Operative Dentistry, Cariology and Endodontology, College of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
Fan
M
M
Bian
Z
Z
D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal