In vitro activity of Carvacrol against titanium-adherent oral biofilms and planktonic cultures.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to test the effect of Carvacrol against oral pathogens and their preformed biofilms on titanium disc surface.


METHODS
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) were performed to evaluate Carvacrol antibacterial activity, while flow cytometry (FCM) was used to verify the Carvacrol effect on esterase activity and membrane permeability. Carvacrol was tested in vitro on single- and multi-species biofilms formed on titanium disc by Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 or Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586, in different combinations, comparing its effect to that of chlorhexidine.


RESULTS
The pathogens were sensitive to Carvacrol with MICs and MBCs values of 0.25 % and 0.50 % and BICs of 0.5 % for S. mutans ATCC 25175 and 1 % for P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 and F. nucleatum ATCC 25586. FCM analysis showed that treatment of planktonic cultures with Carvacrol caused an increase of damaged cells and a decrement of bacteria with active esterase activity. Moreover, Carvacrol demonstrated greater biofilm formation preventive property compared to chlorhexidine against titanium-adherent single- and multi-specie biofilms, with statistically significant values.


CONCLUSIONS
Carvacrol showed inhibitory activity against the tested oral pathogens and biofilm formation preventive property on their oral biofilm; then, it could be utilized to control and prevent the colonization of microorganisms with particular significance in human oral diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
This natural compound may be proposed in daily hygiene formulations or as an alternative agent supporting traditional antimicrobial protocols to prevent periodontal diseases in implanted patients.
Department of Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
Eleonora
E
Ciandrini
Raffaella
R
Campana
Sara
S
Federici
Anita
A
Manti
Michela
M
Battistelli
Elisabetta
E
Falcieri
Stefano
S
Papa
Wally
W
Baffone
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D000081007:Cymenes; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010933:Plankton / Q000187:drug effects*; D014025:Titanium
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; C073316:carvacrol; D014025:Titanium