In vitro antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of carvacrol and terpinen-4-ol against biofilm formation on titanium implant surfaces

Abstract

This study evaluated the antibacterial properties of carvacrol and terpinen-4-ol against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum and its cytotoxic effects on fibroblast cells. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were examined. The minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) was evaluated by XTT assay. Biofilm decontamination on titanium surfaces was quantified (CFU ml⁻¹), evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and cytotoxic activity by MTT. The MIC and MBC for carvacrol were 0.007% and 0.002% for P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, and 0.06% for terpinen-4-ol for both microorganisms. The MBIC for carvacrol was 0.03% and 0.06% for P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, and for terpinen-4-ol was 0.06% and 0.24%. The results indicated anti-biofilm activity using carvacrol (0.26%, 0.06%) and terpinen-4-ol (0.95%, 0.24%) and showed cytotoxic activity similar to chlorohexidine (CHX). However, terpinen-4-ol (0.24%) showed higher cell viability than other treatments. Carvacrol and terpinen-4-ol showed antibacterial activity in respect of reducing biofilms. Moreover, CHX-like cytotoxicity was observed.

Keywords:

• Carvacrol
• terpinen-4-ol
• peri-implantitis
• antibacterial activity
• biofilm
• cytotoxic activity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the following companies: Implacil De Bortoli (São Paulo, Brazil) and CTR/IPEN-CNEN/SP Brazil for collaboration and donation of equipment for the development of this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [grants: 2015/08742-1; 2009/54035-4].