Planta Med 2012; 78 - PI343
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321030

In vitro anticariogenic effects of aerial parts of Drymocallis rupestris and its phytochemical profile

M Tomczyk 1, M Pleszczyńska 2, A Wiater 2
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15–230 Białystok, Poland
  • 2Department of Industrial Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, ul. Akademicka 19, 20–033 Lublin, Poland

Dental caries is an infectious disease which is widely distributed throughout the world and is the most prevalent chronic oral disease in humans. In this study, for the first time, we investigated in vitro inhibitory effects of D. rupestris extracts and fractions obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous, 50% ethanolic, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanolic) against cariogenic Streptococcus spp. strains. It was found that diethyl ether fraction exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against all the test bacteria at concentrations of 0.75 or 1.5mg/mL. The diethyl ether fraction also inhibited the viability of mutans streptococci in biofilm. The inhibitory effects of all tested extracts of D. rupestris on water-insoluble and water-soluble glucan synthesis by cell-free GTFs from Streptococcus spp. were examined. Both, aqueous and diethyl ether preparations showed the highest anti-GTFs activity. Additionally, the phytochemical profile were analyzed where the high polyphenolics (total phenol, phenolic acids, tannins, proantocyanidins, flavonoids) content were found. The results demonstrate that D. rupestris could become a useful supplements for pharmaceutical products as a new anticariogenic agent in a wide range of oral care products.