title: Antimicrobial activity of cationic peptides in endodontic procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition activity of synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against microbes such as Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans which are involved in endodontic infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Agar diffusion test was done to determine the activity of peptides. The morphological changes in E. faecalis and reduction in biofilm formation after treatment with peptides were observed using scanning electron microscope. The efficacy of peptides using an ex vivo dentinal model was determined by polymerase chain reaction and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Platelet aggregation was done to determine the biocompatibility of peptides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 11 peptides, two of the amphipathic cationic peptides were found to be highly active against E. faecalis, S. aureus, C. albicans. Efficacy results using dentinal tubule model showed significant reduction in microbial load at 400 μm depth. The peptides were also biocompatible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that synthetic AMPs have the potential to be developed as antibacterial agents against microorganisms involved in dental infections and thus could prevent the spread and persistence of endodontic infections improving treatment outcomes and teeth preservation.
authors: Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Sofi Beaula
authors: SB
authors: Winfred
authors: Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Gowri
authors: G
authors: Meiyazagan
authors: Malaria Research Laboratory, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.
authors: Jiban J
authors: JJ
authors: Panda
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Science, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Venkateshbabu
authors: V
authors: Nagendrababu
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Science, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Kandaswamy
authors: K
authors: Deivanayagam
authors: Malaria Research Laboratory, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.
authors: Virander S
authors: VS
authors: Chauhan
authors: Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Ganesh
authors: G
authors: Venkatraman
keywords: Antimicrobial peptides; biocompatibility; endodontic treatment; high pressure liquid chromatography; minimal inhibitory concentration; molecular weight