Effect of Neovestitol-vestitol containing Brazilian red propolis on biofilm accumulation in vitro and dental caries development in vivo

摘要

The present study examined the influences of the neovestitol-vestitol (NV) containing fraction isolated from Brazilian red propolis on biofilm development and expression of virulence factors by Streptococcus mutans using saliva-coated hydroxyapatite surfaces. In addition, NV was tested in a rodent model of dental caries to assess its potential effectiveness in vivo. Topical applications of NV (800μg/ml) significantly impaired the accumulation of S. mutans biofilms by largely disrupting the synthesis of glucosyltransferase-derived exopolysaccharides and the expression of genes associated with the adaptive stress response, such as copYAZ and sloA. Of even greater impact, NV was as effective as fluoride (positive control) in reducing the development of carious lesions in vivo. NV is a promising natural anti-biofilm agent that targets essential virulence traits in S. mutans, which are associated with cariogenic biofilm formation and the subsequent onset of dental caries disease.