The effects of Acacia arabica gum on the in vitro growth and protease activities of periodontopathic bacteria

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of acacia gum was assessed using fresh isolates and reference strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Treponema denticola. A fine aqueous suspension of gum was produced by sonication and then a soluble fraction isolated by centrifugation and membrane filtration. These preparations were incorporated into columbia agar at doubling concentrations. Growth of P. gingivalis and P. intermedia cultures on the agar was inhibited by whole gum sonicate at concentrations of 0.5-1.0% w/v. Both species showed reduced susceptibility when horse blood was present in the agar. The gum soluble fraction did not inhibit growth of any bacterial culture. The effect of acacia on bacterial proteases was examined with cell sonicates from log phase broth cultures. Enzyme activities were determined by fluorimetric assay with various synthetic peptide substrates. Most protease activities reduced in the presence of 0.5% w/v gum sonicate, with the trypsin-like activities of P. gingivalis and P. intermedia proving most sensitive. The gum soluble fraction was nearly always less inhibitory than the sonicate. The action of acacia gum against suspected periodontal pathogens and their enzymes suggests that it may be of clinical value.

Short‐term clinical effects of commercially available gel containing Acacia arabica: a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…22 Therefore, the in vitro inhibitory action of acacia gum against these organisms and their enzymes is of possible clinical significance. 9 This inhibitory effect on periodontal pathogens along with the inhibition of protease production by them can be attributed to active constituents like arabica, cyanoglycosides, oxidases, peroxidase and pectinases present in Acacia. 7,8 Tannins are also found to be present in Acacia leading to its astringent and haemostatic effects.…”

“…8 Clark et al has reported the antibacterial and antiprotease activities of Acacia arabica. 9 Thus, the present study was carried out as a prospective, randomized, placebo and positively controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the short-term clinical effects of a commercially available, prescription gel containing Acacia arabica in the reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in subjects with gingivitis.…”

Gum Arabic: More Than an Edible Emulsifier

“…As for the antimicrobial activity of GA, few studies have been performed, mainly reporting growth inhibitory activity of certain periodontal pathogenic species (causal agent of tooth decay or agent involved in the plaque), such as Prophyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia (Clark et al, 1993). These results suggested that GA could inhibit the formation of plaque and improve dental remineralization, acting as a potential preventive agent in the formation of caries (Onishi et al, 2008).…”

Seed priming with plant gum biopolymers enhances efficacy of metalaxyl 35 SD against pearl millet downy mildew

“…A similar trend in disease protection was evident under field conditions, where seed treated with A. arabica gum offered highest disease control-protection of 48%, which was further increased to 96% when seed was treated with A. arabica+3 g kg −1 of metalaxyl 35 SD. Assessment of the antibacterial activity of acacia gum suggested that it has great clinical value (Clark et al 1993).…”