title: Antibacterial effect of crude extract and metabolites of Phytolacca americana on pathogens responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The oral cavity is the store house of different species of microorganisms that are continuously engaged in causing diseases in the mouth. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial potential of crude extracts of the aerial parts of Phytolacca americana and its natural compounds against two oral pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans, which are primarily responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries, as well as a nonpathogenic Escherichia coli.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crude extract and fractions from the aerial parts of P. americana (0.008-1.8 mg/mL) were evaluated for their potential antibacterial activity against two oral disease causing microorganisms by micro-assays. The standard natural compounds present in P. americana, kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin 3-glucoside, isoqueritrin and ferulic acid, were also tested for their antibacterial activity against the pathogens at 1-8 μg/mL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The crude extract was highly active against P. gingivalis (100% growth inhibition) and moderately active against S. mutans (44% growth inhibition) at 1.8 mg/mL. The chloroform and hexane fraction controlled the growth of P. gingivalis with 91% and 92% growth inhibition at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, respectively. Kaempferol exerted antibacterial activity against both the pathogens, whereas quercetin showed potent growth inhibition activity against only S. mutans in a concentration dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The crude extract, chloroform fraction, and hexane fraction of P. americana possesses active natural compounds that can inhibit the growth of oral disease causing bacteria. Thus, these extracts have the potential for use in the preparation of toothpaste and other drugs related to various oral diseases.
authors.forename: Jayanta Kumar
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Patra
authors.forename: Eun Sil
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyounghee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hyeon-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Republic of Korea. yangseon@ensoltek.co.kr.
authors.forename: Yangseon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kwang-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D044949:Kaempferols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D029604:Phytolacca americana / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D044949:Kaempferols; D010936:Plant Extracts; C006552:kaempferol; D011794:Quercetin