[The effects of natural medicine on adherence of Streptococcus mutans to salivary acquired pellicle].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of 5 kinds of natural medicine such as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei on the adherence of Streptococcus mutans to salivary acquired pellicle, and to screen effective natural medicines for the prevention of caries.


METHODS
The in vitro model of experimental pellicle was saliva-coated hydroxyapatites (S-HA). Streptococcus mutans and S-HA were treated with natural medicines respectively, and then the adherence of bacteria to S-HA was tested.


RESULTS
Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Semen Arecae and Rhizoma Liguistici Chuanxiong could decrease the attachment of Streptococcus mutans to S-HA, and Semen Arecae was the most effective one. Radix Angelicae Dahuricae had no remarkable effect, and Catechu inhibited the adherence only after the bacteria being under treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Semen Arecae, Rhizoma Liquistici Chuanxiong and Catechu could effectively inhibit the adherence of Streptococcus mutans to salivary acquired pellicle, but the effect of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae on the adherence is un-noticeable.
West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Yue
Y
Xiao
Tion-jia
TJ
Liu
Zheng-wei
ZW
Huang
Xue-dong
XD
Zhou
Ji-yao
JY
Li
D001114:Areca / Q000737:chemistry; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D044622:Dental Pellicle / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D030004:Ligusticum; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; C101574:chuangxiong extract