Abstract
Dental plaque is a film of microorganisms on the tooth surface that plays an important part in the development of caries and periodontal diseases. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is present in almost all types of dental plaque. Teeth and their supporting structure, the gums (gingiva) are subjected to infection by S. mutans that causes cavities and pyorrhea which, if left untreated, can eventually lead to gingivitis. Various chemical agents have been evaluated over the years with respect to their antimicrobial effects in the oral cavity; however, all are associated with side effects that prohibit regular long-term use. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Aralia continentalis (Araliaceae) extracts on the growth, acid production, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. The methanol extract of A. continentalis showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity against the growth and acid production of S. mutans, and produced significant inhibition at the concentration of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml compared to the control group. The extracts markedly inhibited S. mutans adherence to HA treated with saliva, and cell adherence was repressed by more than 60% at the concentration of 0.25 mg/ml and complete inhibition was observed at the concentration of 4 mg/ml. On the activity of glucosyltransferase which synthesizes water insoluble glucan from sucrose, methanol extract of A. continentalis showed more than 10% inhibition over the concentration of 0.25 mg/ml. The synthesis of insoluble glucan was decreased in the presence of 0.25 - 4 mg/ml of the methanol extract of A. continentalis. Hence, we conclude that A. continentalis might be a candidate of anticaries agent.
