title: Effect of emodin on the cariogenic properties ofStreptococcus mutansand the development of caries in rats.
abstract: Emodin is an active herbal component traditionally used in East Asian countries for treating a variety of diseases. The present study investigated the effects of emodin on specific virulence factors ofStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans)in vitroand on caries developmentin vivo. The growth and acid production ofS. mutanswere significantly inhibited by emodin (0.5-2 mg/ml). Emodin also significantly suppressed the synthesis of insoluble glucans byS. mutans. Furthermore, the topical application of emodin reduced the incidence and severity of carious lesions in rats. These results suggest that the natural compound emodin may be a novel pharmacological agent for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Kunhua Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jing-Shu
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Kunhua Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Kunhua Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xian-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Kunhua Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Bin
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Kunhua Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cao
keywords: Streptococcus mutans; caries; emodin; glucosyltransferase