title: Molecular Mechanisms of Inhibition of Streptococcus Species by Phytochemicals.
abstract: This review paper summarizes the antibacterial effects of phytochemicals of various medicinal plants against pathogenic and cariogenic streptococcal species. The information suggests that these phytochemicals have potential as alternatives to the classical antibiotics currently used for the treatment of streptococcal infections. The phytochemicals demonstrate direct bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects, such as: (i) prevention of bacterial adherence to mucosal surfaces of the pharynx, skin, and teeth surface; (ii) inhibition of glycolytic enzymes and pH drop; (iii) reduction of biofilm and plaque formation; and (iv) cell surface hydrophobicity. Collectively, findings from numerous studies suggest that phytochemicals could be used as drugs for elimination of infections with minimal side effects.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS PO Box 550, Canada. sh764873@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abachi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS PO Box 15000, Canada. Song.Lee@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS PO Box 550, Canada. vrupasinghe@dal.ca.
authors.forename: H P Vasantha
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Rupasinghe
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D064209:Phytochemicals
keywords: S. agalactiae; S. mutans; S. pneumoniae; S. pyogenes; adherence; biofilm; phytochemical; quorum sensing; streptococci