title: Anti-biofilm properties of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil against periodontal pathogens.
abstract: Essential oils of several plants are widely used in ethnomedicine for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, very limited data exist on their use in connection to periodontal diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the bacterial growth inhibiting and anti-biofilm effects of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory), Salvia fruticosa M. (sage), Lavandula stoechas L. (lavender), Myrtus communis L., and Juniperus communis L. (juniper) essential oils. Chemical compositions of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, minimum inhibitor concentrations (MICs) with the agar dilution method, and anti-biofilm effects by the microplate biofilm assay. The toxicity of each essential oil was tested on cultured keratinocytes. Of the 5 essential oils, S. hortensis L. essential oil had the strongest growth inhibition effect. Subinhibitory dose of S. hortensis L. essential oil had anti-biofilm effects only against Prevotella nigrescens. Essential oils did not inhibit keratinocyte viability at the concentrations of 1 and 5 microl/ml, however at the concentration of 5 microl/ml epithelial cells detached from the culture well bottom. The present findings suggest that S. hortensis L. essential oil inhibits the growth of periodontal bacteria in the concentration that is safe on keratinocytes, however, in the subinhibitory concentration its anti-biofilm effect is limited.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. ulvi.gursoy@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Ulvi Kahraman
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Gursoy
authors.forename: Mervi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gursoy
authors.forename: Orhan Vedat
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Gursoy
authors.forename: Lutfu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cakmakci
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Könönen
authors.forename: Veli-Jukka
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Uitto
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001438:Bacteroidaceae / Q000187:drug effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D018653:Juniperus / Q000737:chemistry; D027523:Lavandula / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010462:Peptostreptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D031362:Satureja / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils