title: Saussurea lappa inhibits the growth, acid production, adhesion, and water-insoluble glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans.
abstract: In the present study, inhibitory effects of the ethanol extract of Saussurea lappa (S. lappa) on the growth, acid production, adhesion, and water-insoluble glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were examined. The growth and acid production of Streptococcus mutans were inhibited by the presence of ethanol extract of Saussurea lappa (0.5-4 mg/ml) significantly. The ethanol extract of Saussurea lappa (0.25-4 mg/ml) also significantly lowered the adherence of Streptococcus mutans in a dose dependent manner. In water-insoluble glucan synthesis assay, 2-4 mg/ml of the ethanol extract of Saussurea lappa significantly inhibited the formation of water-insoluble glucan. These results suggest that Saussurea lappa may inhibit the caries-inducing properties of Streptococcus mutans. Further studies are necessary to clarify the active constituents of Saussurea lappa responsible for such biomolecular activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Kunsan National University, Kunsan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon-Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jun-Sup
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ki-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ki-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong-Ouk
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: You
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005936:Glucans / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D030441:Saussurea / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005936:Glucans; D010936:Plant Extracts