title: High-level antimicrobial efficacy of representative Mediterranean natural plant extracts against oral microorganisms.
abstract: Nature is an unexplored reservoir of novel phytopharmaceuticals. Since biofilm-related oral diseases often correlate with antibiotic resistance, plant-derived antimicrobial agents could enhance existing treatment options. Therefore, the rationale of the present report was to examine the antimicrobial impact of Mediterranean natural extracts on oral microorganisms. Five different extracts from Olea europaea, mastic gum, and Inula viscosa were tested against ten bacteria and one Candida albicans strain. The extraction protocols were conducted according to established experimental procedures. Two antimicrobial assays--the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assay--were applied. The screened extracts were found to be active against each of the tested microorganisms. O. europaea presented MIC and MBC ranges of 0.07-10.00 mg mL(-1) and 0.60-10.00 mg mL(-1), respectively. The mean MBC values for mastic gum and I. viscosa were 0.07-10.00 mg mL(-1) and 0.15-10.00 mg mL(-1), respectively. Extracts were less effective against C. albicans and exerted bactericidal effects at a concentration range of 0.07-5.00 mg mL(-1) on strict anaerobic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Parvimonas micra). Ethyl acetate I. viscosa extract and total mastic extract showed considerable antimicrobial activity against oral microorganisms and could therefore be considered as alternative natural anti-infectious agents.
authors: Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Lamprini
authors: 0000-0002-7893-0393
authors: L
authors: Karygianni
authors: Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Cecere
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.
authors: Alexios Leandros
authors: AL
authors: Skaltsounis
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.
authors: Aikaterini
authors: A
authors: Argyropoulou
authors: Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Elmar
authors: E
authors: Hellwig
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.
authors: Nektarios
authors: N
authors: Aligiannis
authors: Department of Hygiene and Microbiology, Albert-Ludwigs University, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Annette
authors: 0000-0002-8069-9127
authors: A
authors: Wittmer
authors: Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Ali
authors: 0000-0001-8769-599X
authors: A
authors: Al-Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D018441:Biofilms; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D038143:Inula / Q000737:chemistry; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D031658:Olea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011312:Pressure; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D062065:Wastewater
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012116:Resins, Plant; D062065:Wastewater