title: Testing a low molecular mass fraction of a mushroom (Lentinus edodes) extract formulated as an oral rinse in a cohort of volunteers.
abstract: Although foods are considered enhancing factors for dental caries and periodontitis, laboratory researches indicate that several foods and beverages contain components endowed with antimicrobial and antiplaque activities. A low molecular mass (LMM) fraction of an aqueous mushroom extract has been found to exert these activities in in vitro experiments against potential oral pathogens. We therefore conducted a clinical trial in which we tested an LMM fraction of shiitake mushroom extract formulated in a mouthrinse in 30 young volunteers, comparing the results with those obtained in two identical cohorts, one of which received water (placebo) and the other Listerine. Plaque index, gingival index and bacterial counts in plaque samples were determined in all volunteers over the 11 days of the clinical trial. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were obtained for the plaque index on day 12 in subjects treated with mushroom versus placebo, while for the gingival index significant differences were found for both mushroom versus placebo and mushroom versus Listerine. Decreases in total bacterial counts and in counts of specific oral pathogens were observed for both mushroom extract and Listerine in comparison with placebo. The data suggest that a mushroom extract may prove beneficial in controlling dental caries and/or gingivitis/periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Sezione di Microbiologia, Dipartimento di Patologia e Diagnostica, Università di Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Signoretto
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burlacchini
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grillenzoni
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavalleri
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciric
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lingström
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pezzati
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daglia
authors.forename: Egija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zaura
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pratten
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spratt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canepari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020942:Shiitake Mushrooms / Q000737:chemistry*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates; D013729:Terpenes; C057473:Listerine