Antibacterial Effect of the Natural Polymer ε-Polylysine Against Oral Pathogens Associated with Periodontitis and Caries

Abstract

Antimicrobials are important adjuncts in the treatment of caries and periodontitis. However, increased bacterial resistance and hypersensitivity reactions to commonly used antimicrobials have led to an increasing demand for safe and natural substances. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects of ε-polylysine against oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Broth dilution assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analyses were performed to explore the antibacterial effect of ε-polylysine against S. mutans strain ATCC25175 and P. gingivalis strain ATCC332277. For the test solution, ε-polylysine was added to the bacterial suspension to prepare 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% ε-polylysine solutions diluted in broth medium. All four concentrations demonstrated complete inhibition of S. mutans and significantly reduced viable cell counts of P. gingivalis after 24 h. From starting inoculum of 9.15 log CFU/mL, P. gingivalis cell counts reduced to 4.01 log CFU/mL in the 0.125% ε-polylysine treatment group. SEM, CLSM, and the LIVE/DEAD bacterial assay of ε-polylysine application on P. gingivalis biofilm-dentin specimens revealed bacterial cell membrane disruption and irregular cell morphologies. The results indicated satisfactory antibacterial efficacy of ε-polylysine against P. gingivalis and S. mutans in liquid medium and as an application on biofilm-dentin specimens.

Early Polylysine Release from Dental Composites and Its Effects on Planktonic Streptococcus mutans Growth

“…It is therefore expected that higher PLS concentrations will be required to inhibit growth of higher inoculum concentrations. This was also demonstrated in a recent study [20].…”

“…One recent study demonstrated that polylysine had satisfactory antibacterial efficacy against S. mutans in a liquid culture medium and as an application on biofilm-dentin surfaces. The study demonstrated that the susceptibility of microorganisms to polylysine was dependent on polylysine concentrations [20]. Additionally, it showed that polylysine can kill and inhibit the growth of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis [20].…”

“…The study demonstrated that the susceptibility of microorganisms to polylysine was dependent on polylysine concentrations [20]. Additionally, it showed that polylysine can kill and inhibit the growth of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis [20].…”

Blocking viral infections with lysine-based polymeric nanostructures: a critical review

“…30 EPL has an efficient antimicrobial activity against several animal pathogens with a remarkable dependence on the molecular weight of the peptide. [31][32][33] Poly-L-lysine and poly-D-lysine are commercially used in promoting cell adhesion to plastic and glass surfaces.…”

Uniting Electroceutical and Cosmeceutical Interventions in Combating Coronavirus Using Ԑ-Poly-l-Lysine

“…In this article, we introduce an idea of exploiting the electroceutical properties of a marine-derived compound, namely, ε-poly-L-lysine; being positively charged [27], prepared in a nanofibrous form, in repelling the SARS-CoV-2 virus by positive-positive electrostatic interaction owing to the positively charged capsid of the virus and its newly discovered arginine motif, and hence decreasing its inhaled viral load. Moreover, we propose the incorporation of these electroceutical nanofibers as a colloidal dispersion in a nasal spray and in a toothpaste formulation, and hence uniting the electroceutical properties of the administered bioactive polypeptide with a cosmeceutical purpose.…”