The Pharmaceutical Ability of Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves Essential Oil Against Periodontal Bacteria and Candida sp. and Its Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Abstract

Background: Given the increasing request for natural pharmacological molecules, this study assessed the antimicrobial capacity of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil (PLL-EO) obtained from the leaves of wild plants growing in North Sardinia (Italy) toward a wide range of periodontal bacteria and Candida, including laboratory and clinical isolates sp., together with its anti-inflammatory activity and safety. Methods: PLL-EO was screened by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured by cyclooxygenase (COX-1/2) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition, while the antioxidant capacity was determined electro-chemically and by the MTT assay. The WST-1 assay was used to ascertain cytotoxicity toward four lines of oral cells. Results: According to the concentrations of terpens, PLL-EO is a pharmacologically-active phytocomplex. MICs against periodontal bacteria ranged between 3.13 and 12.5 µg/ml, while against Candida sp. they were between 6.25 and 12.5 µg/mL. Oxidation by COX-1/2 and LOX was inhibited by 80% and 20% µg/mL of the oil, respectively. Antioxidant activity seemed negligible, and no cytotoxicity arose. Conclusions: PLL-EO exhibits a broad-spectrum activity against periodontal bacteria and Candida, with an interesting dual inhibitory capacity toward COX-2 and LOX inflammatory enzymes, and without side effects against oral cells.

Antimicrobial Effect of Natural Berry Juices on Common Oral Pathogenic Bacteria

“…Because of these reasons, natural plant extracts are constantly under investigation for evaluation of their antimicrobial capability [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Observations from these studies might help to design new and efficient anti-infective and bioactive agents with fewer side effects for safe and efficient microbial control.…”

Leaves and Fruits Preparations of Pistacia lentiscus L.: A Review on the Ethnopharmacological Uses and Implications in Inflammation and Infection

“…Nevertheless, the environment of growing, seasonability of harvesting and kind of material (edible or not-edible parts of the plant) have to be considered when explaining the differences in chemistry of the oils and extracts [ 19 ]. Up to 64 chemical constituents have been reported in the PlL EO fingerprint, in addition to other fractions that cannot be quantified by the assays [ 49 ]. Some of these terpenoids are constituent fractions of cannabis sativa [ 9 ], and called “non-cannabinoids terpenoids”.…”

“…In view of the prevalent fractions of monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes, the EO can be grouped into different chemotypes [ 17 ]. In this regard, the recurrent higher amount of α-pinene (16.9–19.5%) and terpinen-4-ol (7.7–16.5%) in comparison to the other compounds, allowed the classification of the oil from the leaves of PlL growing in Sardinia as the α-pinene/terpinen-4-ol chemotype [ 19 , 49 ]. Similarly, the Greek oil from PlL leaves is the α-pinene/terpinen-4-ol chemotype [ 51 , 51 ].…”

“…Only one study has investigated the inhibitory activity of the whole PlL EO. It was obtained from the leaves of plants growing in Sardinia and tested against COXs and LOX [ 49 ]. The IC 50 values were 10.3 ± 4.4 μg/mL and 6.1 ± 2.5 μg/mL PlL EO for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively, with higher inhibitory activity toward COX-2 in comparison to that produced towards COX-1.…”

“…Notably, a wide range of biocompatibility was documented in oral cells. It was remarked specifically in oral human fibroblast cell lines using the EO from leaves and the MTT reduction assay [ 49 ]. That fact was further validated in the periodontal ligament fibroblasts, the gingival fibroblasts, the gingival keratinocytes and dysplastic oral keratinocytes applying the WST-1 metabolic activity assay [ 49 ].…”