title: Effect of garlic on bacterial biofilm formation on orthodontic wire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of garlic extract on the biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans on orthodontic wire and on glucosyltransferase gene expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Growth inhibition of oral bacteria was tested after 50 µL of garlic extract was placed on an agar plate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of garlic extract on S mutans growth was first determined. After cultivating streptococci in biofilm medium (BM)-sucrose with garlic extract and orthodontic wire, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurement and viable cell counting was performed from the bacteria attached on the wire. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of morphology was observed on bacterial cells attached to orthodontic wire. The effect of garlic extract on gene expression was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of glucosyltransferase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Though garlic extract had a clear antibacterial effect on all microorganisms, it also enhanced S mutans attachment on orthodontic wire. Low concentration of garlic extract also increased glucosyltransferase gene expression of S mutans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its antibacterial function, garlic extract increases biofilm formation by S mutans to orthodontic wire, likely through upregulation of glucosyltransferase expression. Garlic extract may thus play an important role in increased bacterial attachment to orthodontic wires.
authors: Department of Dental Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Heon-Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
authors: Hyo-Sang
authors: HS
authors: Park
authors: Kyo-Han
authors: KH
authors: Kim
authors: Tae-Yub
authors: TY
authors: Kwon
authors: Su-Hyung
authors: SH
authors: Hong
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D005737:Garlic; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D049449:Luminescence; D008422:Materials Testing; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009969:Orthodontic Wires / Q000382:microbiology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D054773:Streptococcus gordonii / Q000187:drug effects; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; C036655:1,3-alpha-D-glucan synthase; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C110463:glucosyltransferase C; C113848:glucosyltransferase D