Mutans streptococci constitute a group of closely related strains, amoung which was Streptococcus mutans(serotype c), S sobrinus, S. rattus, and S. cricetus. S sobrinus is now generally accepted to be the most cariogenic species of the mutans streptococci. Especially, S. mutans is a major etiological agent in the pathogenesis of dental caries. The adsorption of mutans streptococci to the tooth surface is the first step in development of dental plaque and caries. In order to prevent such dental caries, materials inhibiting of adsorption of bacteria to acquired pellicle are required.
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of berberine on the growth of S. inutans(serotype c), S. sobrinus SL-1, S sobrinus OMZ65, S. rattus, and S cricetus, in vitro.
We found that berberine had MIC(minimal inhibitory concentrations) at level of 250-500pg/ml against S mutans(serotype c), S sobrinus SL-1, S. sobrinus OMZ65, S rattus, and S. cricetus. When these bacteria of S. ,nutans(serotype c), S sobrinus OMZ65, S rattus, and S. cricetus were cultured for 24 hours, which were inhibited the growth to the 100% at the concentration of 100,ug/ml and 50gg/ml. These results indicate that berberine has anti-cariogenic activity in vitro.
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