Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) fractions inhibit biofilm formation and adherence properties of oral pathogens and enhance oral epithelial barrier function

Abstract

Dental caries, candidiasis, and periodontal disease are the most common oral infections affecting a wide range of the population worldwide. The present study investigated the effects of two tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) fractions on important oral pathogens, including Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, as well as on the barrier function of oral epithelial cells. Procyanidins and quercetin and its derivatives were the most important constituents found in the tart cherry fractions. Although the fractions showed poor antimicrobial activity, they inhibited biofilm formation by the three oral pathogens in a dose‐dependent manner. The tart cherry fractions also attenuated the adherence of C. albicans and S. mutans to a hydroxylapatite surface as well as the adherence of F. nucleatum to oral epithelial cells. Treating oral epithelial cells with the tart cherry fractions significantly enhanced the barrier function as determined by monitoring the transepithelial electrical resistance. In conclusion, this study showed that the tart cherry fractions and their bioactive constituents could be promising antiplaque compounds by targeting biofilm formation and adherence properties of oral pathogens. Furthermore, its property of increasing the epithelial barrier function may protect against microbial invasion of the underlying connective tissue.

Effects of a tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) phenolic extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis and its ability to impair the oral epithelial barrier

“…Non-dialyzable material was freeze-dried and stored at 4˚C in the dark. The phenolic composition of the tart cherry extract determined by chromatographic and mass spectrometry analyses has been reported previously [23]. Quercetin and its derivatives (rutinoside, glucoside) as well as procyanidins are the main constituents of the extract.…”

“…were immunostained with either occludin antibody-Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate or ZO-1 antibody-Alexa Fluor 594 conjugate (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), as described previously [23]. An Olympus FSX100 fluorescence microscope and FSX-BSW imaging software (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) were used to observe the immunostaining.…”

“…Proanthocyanidins from blueberry and cranberry have been shown to inhibit biofilm formation and the adherence of major periodontal pathogens, exert anti-inflammatory properties, and reinforce epithelial barrier integrity [20][21][22]. Recent work in our laboratory showed that two tart cherry phenolic extracts exhibit anti-adherence properties and impede biofilm formation by the major oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum [23]. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a phenolic extract prepared from tart cherry (P. cesarus L.) juice on the growth, adherence, and protease activity of P. gingivalis.…”

Identification and localization of proteins associated with the formation of Streptococcus gordonii and Fusobacterium nucleatum biofilms

“…The oral cavity is a complex bacterial ecosystem composed of multiple microorganisms that intimately coexist [26][27][28][29][30]. Bio lms are one way they coexist [31,32], and they develop thanks to multiple mechanisms associated with protein expression [33][34][35][36][37].…”

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cherry Extract: Nanosystems-Based Strategies to Improve Endothelial Function and Intestinal Absorption

“…Several clinical studies have showed that cherry fruit or juice consumption plays an important role in inflammatory diseases [54][55][56] by preventing or reducing inflammation related to muscle damage from intense strength exercise and also by accelerating recovery from strenuous physical activity. Ben Lagha et al [57] reported that the tart cherry fractions and their bioactive constituents have antiplaque action due to their ability to inhibit the adherence properties of oral pathogens and increase the epithelial barrier function. Moreover, a recent study has confirmed the importance of cherry fruit in ATS risk factors prevention due to the effect of its polyphenols to reduce inflammation and endothelial dysfunction [58].…”