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

Abstract

The present study examined the influences of the neovestitol–vestitol (NV) containing fraction isolated from Brazilian red propolis on the development of biofilm and expression of virulence factors by Streptococcus mutans using saliva-coated surfaces of hydroxyapatite. In addition, NV was tested in a rodent model of dental caries to assess its potential effectiveness in vivo. Topical applications of NV (800 μg ml⁻¹) significantly impaired the accumulation of biofilms of S. mutans 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 the formation of cariogenic biofilm and the subsequent onset of dental caries disease.

Keywords:

• propolis
• vestitol
• neovestitol
• Streptococcus mutans
• biofilm
• dental caries

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Mr Alessandro Esteves for providing the Brazilian red propolis samples. This research was supported by the FAPESP [#2008/58492-8]; CNPq [CNPq 200174/2009-6]; and NIH [NIDCR DE016139], [DE18023].