title: Antimicrobial effect of mastic gum methanolic extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis.
abstract: The antimicrobial effect of mastic gum, an ancient remedy for oral malodor, against Porphyromonas gingivalis, a known odorogenic periopathogenic oral bacterium, was tested using the agar diffusion test. Paper discs impregnated with mastic gum methanolic extract (MME) [0.5-4% (wt/vol)] produced inhibition zones of 10.5-13.7 mm, respectively, without showing signs of hemolysis, whereas chlorhexidine (0.2%)-impregnated discs, which showed greater inhibition (33.5 mm), also produced large and distinctive hemolytic zones (17 mm). Further analysis of the antimicrobial traits of MME revealed a logarithmic ratio between inhibition zone diameter and MME concentration (r = .99), indicating limited water solubility of this material. These results suggest that mastic gum may be used as a potential nontoxic local agent in treating oral malodor and gum disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sterer
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D000432:Methanol; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012116:Resins, Plant; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D000432:Methanol