Statins and oral biofilm: Simvastatin as a promising drug to control periodontal dysbiosis

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study evaluated antimicrobial activity of atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin against oral bacteria, and the interaction of simvastatin with standard antimicrobials (amoxicillin and metronidazole).MethodsMinimal inhibitory concentration assays were performed with Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii; checkerboard microdilution assays between simvastatin and standard antimicrobials; monospecies and multispecies biofilms.ResultsSimvastatin showed the best antimicrobial activity against most species (MIC range from 3.12 to 25 μg/ml), highlighting the sensitivity of P. gingivalis. In the checkerboard assay, synergistic interaction was found between simvastatin and amoxicillin against S. oralis and S. sanguinis. P. gingivalis biofilm was inhibited by simvastatin at 10 and 50× Minimal inhibitory concentration, with similar effects to metronidazole. For multispecies biofilm, SMV reduced the biofilm metabolic activity (79%) and total counts (87%), comparable to amoxicillin. Simvastatin also reduced bacterial counts of Veilonnella parvula, P. gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii, P. intermedia, and Capnocytophaga ochracea in the multispecies biofilm.ConclusionsSimvastatin showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against oral bacteria and may contribute to the control of dysbiosis, and may be considered in clinical studies as an adjuvant in the treatment of periodontitis.

Combination of Neovestitol and Vestitol Modifies the Profile of Periodontitis-Related Subgingival Multispecies Biofilm

“…The number of bacterial species included in the model is the main strength since, to our knowledge, this is the only model that includes almost all Socransky species (except T. denticola ). The values for the reduction in metabolic activity of biofilms treated with amoxicillin are consistent with those obtained in previous studies [ 20 , 22 , 35 ], demonstrating the reproducibility of the method. It is of importance to note that among all the articles published to date with this therapeutic regimen (treatment for 12 or 24 h), CNV at 1600 µg/mL was the first test agent to show metabolic activity and total counts significantly lower than the positive control, either amoxicillin or chlorhexidine [ 22 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…The values for the reduction in metabolic activity of biofilms treated with amoxicillin are consistent with those obtained in previous studies [ 20 , 22 , 35 ], demonstrating the reproducibility of the method. It is of importance to note that among all the articles published to date with this therapeutic regimen (treatment for 12 or 24 h), CNV at 1600 µg/mL was the first test agent to show metabolic activity and total counts significantly lower than the positive control, either amoxicillin or chlorhexidine [ 22 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. This result is considered very promising.…”

Modulation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation through Subinhibitory Concentrations of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles and Simvastatin

“…An effect that has gained increasing prominence is their antimicrobial effect, especially that of simvastatin (SIM), shown to have antimicrobial activity against S. aureus in both planktonic growth and biofilm [31,32]. Simvastatin can also reduce the formation of multispecies biofilms and possibly treat oral infections [33,34].…”

Modulation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation by Subinhibitory Concentrations of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles and Simvastatin

“…[29,30] Simvastatin can also reduce the formation of multispecies biofilms and treat oral infections. [31,32] The association between AgNP and SIM has already been shown to be synergistic against standard and resistant strains of S. aureus. [17] In isolation, studies show that both compounds act against S. aureus biofilm.…”