Targeted antimicrobial treatment to re-establish a healthy microbial flora for long-term protection.
Streptococcus mutans has been implicated as the major acid-producing (cariogenic) bacterium. Dietary sugars and other factors may cause an imbalance of oral microflora that enables S. mutans to become dominant in the multi-species biofilms on the tooth surface, which could lead to dental caries. The application of broad-spectrum antimicrobials often results in re-colonization and re-dominance of S. mutans within oral flora, while in contrast, therapies capable of selective elimination of S. mutans from oral microbial communities may help to re-establish the normal flora and provide long-term protection. C16G2, a novel synthetic antimicrobial peptide with specificity for S. mutans, was found to have robust killing efficacy and selectivity for S. mutans in vitro. A subsequent pilot human study found that a single application of C16G2 in the oral cavity (formulated in a mouthrinse vehicle) was associated with a reduction in plaque and salivary S. mutans, lactic acid production, and enamel demineralization during the entire 4-day testing period. C16G2 is now being developed as a new anticaries drug.
C3 Jian Inc., Inglewood, CA, USA.
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Eckert
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Sullivan
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Shi
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides