Effects of Cistus-tea on bacterial colonization and enzyme activities of the in situ pellicle.
OBJECTIVE
Polyphenols are expected to have antibacterial properties. Cistus is a tea rich in polyphenols. The aim of the present in situ study was to investigate the effect of Cistus-tea on the pellicle and on the initial oral biofilm.


METHODS
For in situ pellicle formation and initial biofilm formation, bovine enamel slabs were fixed on maxillary splints and carried by four subjects at buccal sites for up to 2 h. Bacteria present in 120-min pellicles were determined with DAPI-staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization with and without a 10 min rinse with Cistus-tea performed 1 min after incorporation of the slabs. In addition, amylase, lysozyme, glucosyltransferase and peroxidase activities immobilised in the pellicle layer were measured before and after rinsing for 10 min with Cistus-tea.


RESULTS
The amount of bacteria detected in the 120-min biofilm was reduced significantly, if a 10 min rinse with Cistus-tea was performed one min after insertion of the enamel slabs. DAPI-staining yielded 13.2+/-3.5 for controls and 6.5+/-1.1 x 10(4) bacteria/cm(2), if a rinse with Cistus-tea was applied. Lysozyme, amylase and glucosyltransferase activities immobilised in the pellicle were not affected following a rinse with Cistus-tea. However, peroxidase activity was reduced significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Cistus-tea may be used to reduce the initial bacterial adhesion in the oral cavity.
Hannig
Christian
C
Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Christian.hannig@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Spitzmüller
Bettina
B
Al-Ahmad
Ali
A
Hannig
Matthias
M
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001628:Beverages; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002417:Cattle; D029758:Cistus; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D044622:Dental Pellicle / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007211:Indoles; D008297:Male; D009113:Muramidase / Q000187:drug effects; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000187:drug effects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000187:drug effects
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D028321:Plant Preparations; C007293:DAPI; D010544:Peroxidases; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D009113:Muramidase