title: Inhibitory effect of Aralia continentalis on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aralia continentalis has been used in traditional Korean medicine for dental diseases such as toothache, dental caries, periodontal disease and gingivitis, and also has been used for neuralgia, analgesia, sweating, and as an antirheumatic.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of Aralia continentalis extract on cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans, which is one of the most important bacteria in the formation of dental caries and dental plaque.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inhibitory effects of Aralia continentalis extract on the growth, acid production, water-insoluble glucan synthesis, and adhesion were investigated in Streptococcus mutans. The biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and safranin staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ethanol extract of Aralia continentalis showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity on the growth of Streptococcus mutans and significant inhibition of acid production at the concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml compared to the control group. The synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase (GTFase) was decreased in the presence of 0.5-4 mg/ml of the extract of Aralia continentalis. The extract markedly inhibited Streptococcus mutans adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads (S-HAs). The extract of Aralia continentalis has an inhibitory effect on the formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms at the concentrations higher than 2mg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that Aralia continentalis may inhibit cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans, and also may support the scientific rationale that native inhabitants used the extract for the treatment of dental diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Da-Hong
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bo-Ra
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Ha-Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gi-Chun
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Gum
authors.forename: Hyeon-Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hyung-Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Tong Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Yong-Ouk
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: You
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000032:analysis; D027983:Aralia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005936:Glucans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000737:chemistry; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005936:Glucans; D010936:Plant Extracts