Shoei Yn Lin Shiau* and Chia Tze Kao

Received: June 14, 2018;   Published: July 03, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.06.001328

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Abstract

It is reported that about 95% of the populations in the world have dental caries. Although NaF is an effective anticariogenic agent and F- is the strongest electronegative ion, the abuse of NaF is not only harmful to human beings (dental fluorosis, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity etc.) but also an ecosystem destroyer. It is urgent to explore a better anticariogenic agent for prevention and therapy of dental caries. In this study, we have comparatively studied the antibacterial effects of four different kinds of tea polyphenols on the cultured cariogenic Streptococcus mutans UA159. The results obtained showed that tea polyphenols are more potent than NaF in inhibiting the growth of UA159 which is based on the concentrations (mM) required for 50% inhibition. An important finding is that black tea polyphenol is not only by itself to inhibit the growth of UA159 but also synergistically enhanced this inhibitory effect of NaF. Furthermore, tea polyphenols were also much more potent than NaF in inhibiting α-glucosidase activities of UA159. In conclusion, the antibacterial effects of tea polyphenols on the cultured anticariogenic Streptococcus mutans UA159. It is expected that tea polyphenols could be developed as promising anticariogenic agents in the future.

Keywords: Dental Caries; Streptococcus mutans; NaF; Tea Polyphenols; Antibacterial Effects

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results| Discussion| Conclusion| Acknowledgement| References|