[Oral health care by utilizing food function].
We examined the effects of spices and herbs on Candida albicans to develop therapeutic tools against oral diseases such as oral candidiasis. C. albicans, a dimorphic fungus, is a component of the healthy human microbial flora. However, the excessive overgrowth of C. albicans causes oral candidiasis, and the symptoms, accompanied by severe inflammation, reduce the quality of life of elderly people. We found that spices such as clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum) exhibit inhibitory activity against Candida mycelial growth and show therapeutic efficacy in a murine oral candidiasis model. Our studies also demonstrated that the inhibitory activity of cinnamaldehyde was strengthened in parallel with a prolonged treatment time. Furthermore, when cinnamaldehyde in combination with methylcellulose was administered to the model mice, the therapeutic effect was potentiated. Here, we summarize up-to-date findings on how to use spices and herbs on a daily basis to improve or prevent oral problems such as oral candidiasis with the presentation of our recent data.
Research and Product Development Division, S & B Foods Inc.
Yuuki
Y
Taguchi
D000171:Acrolein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D032904:Cinnamomum aromaticum; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D017365:Spices; D027842:Syzygium
D010936:Plant Extracts; D000171:Acrolein; D008747:Methylcellulose; C012843:cinnamaldehyde