Ethanol extracts from Artemisia princeps can inhibit cariogenic activity of Streptococcus mutans

Researchers from China and South Korea investigated if the ethanol extract of Artemisia princeps could inhibit the cariogenic activity of Streptococcus mutans. The results of their study were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

• The study design involved the evaluation of the increase in acid production and biofilm formation by S. mutans, as well the determination of the expression levels of virulence factor genes.
• The researchers performed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to accomplish the latter.
• They also used confocal laser scanning microscopy to test the bactericidal effect of the ethanol extract.
• The researchers observed that the A. princeps extract inhibited the growth of S. mutans at concentrations greater than 0.05 milligrams per milliliters (mg/mL).
• Using the safranin staining method, they also found that the extract has an inhibitory effect against biofilm formation at concentrations greater than 0.05 mg/mL.
• These results are similar to those observed through scanning electron microscopy.
• Meanwhile, confocal microscopy revealed that the A. princeps extract exerted a bactericidal effect at high concentrations (0.4-3.2 mg/mL) and in a concentration-dependent manner.
• Real-time PCR analysis also confirmed that the extract inhibited the expression of virulence factor genes.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that A. princeps can inhibit the cariogenic activity of S. mutans and may be useful as an anti-cariogenic agent.

Read the full study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Yang Y, Hwang EH, Park BI, Choi NY, Kim KJ, You YO. ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS INHIBITS GROWTH, BIOFILM FORMATION, AND VIRULENCE FACTOR EXPRESSION OF STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS. Journal of Medicinal Food. 07 June 2019;22(6):623–630. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4304