Effects of the tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate on Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) on established biofilms and biofilm formation by Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen of periodontal disease.


RESULTS
Biofilm cell survival was measured using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence. In the presence of EGCg, the ATP level in cells of established biofilms was significantly decreased compared to the controls (P < 0·0001). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that EGCg damaged the cell membrane and cell wall of P. gingivalis. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy revealed that the proportion of dead cells was higher in biofilms treated with EGCg. Moreover, the effects of subminimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of EGCg on P. gingivalis biofilm formation were dose-dependent (P < 0·0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that EGCg destroys established P. gingivalis biofilms and inhibits biofilm formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Development of chemical control agents against oral biofilms is necessary, because oral biofilms can be only removed using mechanical debridement. This article indicates that EGCg may represent a novel antibiofilm agent that prevents infections involving bacterial biofilms such as periodontitis.
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Y
Y
Asahi
Y
Y
Noiri
J
J
Miura
H
H
Maezono
M
M
Yamaguchi
R
R
Yamamoto
H
H
Azakami
M
M
Hayashi
S
S
Ebisu
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate
Porphyromonas gingivalis; biofilm; epigallocatechin gallate; periodontitis; sub-MIC