Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of Casearia sylvestris extracts from distinct Brazilian biomes against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Abstract

BackgroundDental caries is a biofilm-diet-dependent worldwide public health problem, and approaches against microorganisms in cariogenic biofilms are necessary.MethodsThe antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of 12 Casearia sylvestris extracts (0.50 mg/mL) from different Brazilian biomes (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Caatinga, Pampa, and Pantanal) and varieties (sylvestris, lingua, and intermediate) were tested against two species found in cariogenic biofilms (Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans). The extracts effective against S. mutans were used to evaluate the "adhesion strength" of this bacterium to the salivary pellicle and initial glucan matrix and the S. mutans-GtfB activity. Also, the antimicrobial activity against S. mutans of three fractions (methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane; 0.25 mg/mL) from the extracts was evaluated.ResultsThree extracts from the Atlantic Forest variety sylvestris (FLO/SC, GUA/CE, PRE/SP) reduced ≥50% (> 3 logs) S. mutans viable population (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle), while two extracts from the same biome and variety (PAC/CE, PRE/SP) decreased ≥50% of the viable counts of C. albicans (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle). For S. mutans biofilms, three extracts (GUA/CE, PAC/CE, PRE/SP) reduced the biomass by ≥91% (p > 0.0001 vs. vehicle) and 100% of the microbial population (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle). However, for the fungal biofilm, two extracts (PAC/CE, PRE/SP) reduced the viable counts by ≥52% (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle), but none reduced biomass. The extracts with higher antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities presented higher content of clerodane-type diterpenes and lower content of glycosylated flavonoids than the less active extracts. The extracts had no effect on the removal of cells adhered to the pellicle (p > 0.05 vs. vehicle) while promoted the detachment of a larger number of S. mutans cells from GtfB-glucan matrix (p < 0.0031 vs. vehicle), and FLO/SC, GUA/CE and PRE/SP reduced the quantity of glucans (p < 0.0136 vs. vehicle). Only the ethyl acetate fractions reduced the microbial population of S. mutans (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle), except for one (PAC/CE). Among the ethyl acetate fractions, three from var. lingua (two from Cerrado, and one from Cerrado/Caatinga) reduced ≥83% of the microbial population.ConclusionsC. sylvestris extracts from Atlantic Forest var. sylvestris and ethyl acetate fractions from Cerrado and Cerrado/Caatinga var. lingua may be used as a strategy against cariogenic microorganisms.

Infraspecific Chemical Variability and Biological Activity of Casearia sylvestris from Different Brazilian Biomes

“…The individual samples were morphologically characterized and chemically profiled (n = 61) (▶ Fig. 1 and Table 1) [28]. All samples were processed and analyzed under the same conditions, according to a previously validated UHPLC-DAD method [21].…”

“…)[28]. Voucher specimens of all samples were analyzed at the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (São Paulo State, Brazil) by Dr. Roseli B. Torres, who is the specialist on Casearia genus.…”

Combinatorial therapy of chitosan hydrogel-based zinc oxide nanocomposite attenuates the virulence of Streptococcus mutans

“…The bacterial biofilms associated with infected carious dentine are a global public health problem [ 24 ]. The bacteria embedded in biofilms display a set of ‘emergent properties’ that differ noticeably from the planktonic lifestyle [ 25 ].…”

“…Dental caries is a consequence of oral microbial dysbiosis. Although several therapeutic strategies including, antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, bacteriophages have produced encouraging effects to reverse dysbiosis, the development of new and effective strategies is an urgent need to control biofilm expansion [ 24 , 26 ].…”

Application of Antibiotics/Antimicrobial Agents on Dental Caries

“…For example, with respect to the interaction between Candida albicans and oral streptococci, the overuse of broad antibiotics or antibacterial agents occasionally causes the overgrowth of fungi, such as C. albicans, in the oral cavity [127][128][129]. C. albicans is also found in dental carries lesions among children and the elderly and plays an important role in the development of dental carries [130][131][132][133][134]. Broad spectrum antibiotics or antibacterial agents cannot kill C. albicans.…”