title: Nanoparticle-encapsulated chlorhexidine against oral bacterial biofilms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a widely used antimicrobial agent in dentistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel mesoporous silica nanoparticle-encapsulated pure CHX (Nano-CHX), and its mechanical profile and antimicrobial properties against oral biofilms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The release of CHX from the Nano-CHX was characterized by UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. The antimicrobial properties of Nano-CHX were evaluated in both planktonic and biofilm modes of representative oral pathogenic bacteria. The Nano-CHX demonstrated potent antibacterial effects on planktonic bacteria and mono-species biofilms at the concentrations of 50-200 µg/mL against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Enterococccus faecalis. Moreover, Nano-CHX effectively suppressed multi-species biofilms such as S. mutans, F. nucleatum, A. actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis up to 72 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pioneering study demonstrates the potent antibacterial effects of the Nano-CHX on oral biofilms, and it may be developed as a novel and promising anti-biofilm agent for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chaminda Jayampath
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Seneviratne
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Institute of Creativity, and Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental & Biological Analysis, The Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Ken Cham-Fai
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Institute of Creativity, and Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental & Biological Analysis, The Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Chi-Hin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Siu-Fung
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine and Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry & Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Ping Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine and Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry & Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Clara Bik San
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine and Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry & Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wat
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Lijian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004337:Drug Carriers; D002710:Chlorhexidine