In vitro effectiveness of pomegranate extract present in pet oral hygiene products against canine oral bacterial species

Abstract

Background and Aim: Pomegranate is known to possess antibacterial properties, partly because of its punicalagin content. However, its effect on canine oral bacterial species has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the effect of pomegranate extract present in pet dental products on the growth and survival of five canine oral bacterial species in biofilms. Materials and Methods: Five bacterial species, Neisseria shayeganii, Neisseria canis, Porphyromonas gulae, Porphyromonas macacae, and Porphyromonas crevioricanis, were individually cultured for biofilm formation and exposed to pomegranate extract (or control) for 15 min. Cell survival was analyzed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and was compared between different conditions using a student's t-test. In addition, the individual strains were grown in planktonic suspensions and exposed to serial dilutions of the extract to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Results: At a concentration of 0.035% w/v, the extract significantly reduced the survival of P. gulae (–39%, p < 0.001) and N. canis (–28%, p = 0.08) in biofilms. At similar concentrations, the extract also completely or partially inhibited the growth of N. canis and Porphyromonas spp. in planktonic suspensions, respectively. Conclusion: The pomegranate extract found in some pet dental products can limit bacterial growth and survival in the biofilms formed by N. canis and P. gulae in vitro. As P. gulae is involved in periodontal disease progression, limiting its proliferation using products containing pomegranate extract could contribute to disease prevention. Further studies on dogs receiving such products are necessary to confirm these effects.

A water additive with pomegranate can reduce dental plaque and calculus accumulation in dogs

“…The study also showed that the extract could limit their growth in planktonic suspensions (12). The effect of Aquadent on plaque and calculus accumulation after dental scaling in dogs could then be attributed, at least in part, to the control of bacterial growth provided by the pomegranate extract (12). However, other components or parameters may also be involved since the control of bacterial growth by the pomegranate may require a certain contact time.…”

“…The ability of Aquadent to limit plaque accumulation, as shown in this study, suggests that it may act early on biofilm formation. This study was performed following evidence that the pomegranate extract present in the water additive could reduce the survival of some canine oral bacterial species involved in plaque formation and periodontal disease (P. gulaea and N. canis) when tested in vitro on strains organized in biofilms (12). The study also showed that the extract could limit their growth in planktonic suspensions (12).…”

“…This study was performed following evidence that the pomegranate extract present in the water additive could reduce the survival of some canine oral bacterial species involved in plaque formation and periodontal disease (P. gulaea and N. canis) when tested in vitro on strains organized in biofilms (12). The study also showed that the extract could limit their growth in planktonic suspensions (12). The effect of Aquadent on plaque and calculus accumulation after dental scaling in dogs could then be attributed, at least in part, to the control of bacterial growth provided by the pomegranate extract (12).…”

“…These ingredients have demonstrated a certain efficacy to control bacterial growth and oral malodor, but mainly in humans or in vitro (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). In a recent in vitro study, the pomegranate extract present in Vet Aquadent ® FR3SH™ water additive was found to be effective to limit the growth of canine oral bacterial species such as Neisseria canis or Porphyromonas gulae, even when organized in biofilms (12). These species are involved in plaque formation and periodontal disease progression (13)(14)(15)(16).…”

Revisiting Periodontal Disease in Dogs: How to Manage This New Old Problem?

“…Another interesting product is pomegranate ( Punica granatum ) extract, which has already shown antibacterial activity against oral bacterial strains from humans and dogs [ 59 ]. Its antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties, mostly associated with polyphenols and tannins, suggest that pomegranate may be a useful compound to be used in canine PD control, being present in some water additives and dental chew compounds for dogs [ 59 ].…”