Int J Oral Biol.  2017 Mar;42(1):25-31. 10.11620/IJOB.2017.42.1.25.

Anti-cariogenic Properties of α-Pinene, a Monoterpene in Plant Essential Oil

• Park BI
• You YO
• Mo JS
• An SY
• Choi NY
• Kim KJ

• KMID: 2376783
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11620/IJOB.2017.42.1.25

Abstract

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the dental field. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. In a previous study, we confirmed that the essential oil of Chrysanthemum boreale has antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Alpha-pinene is one of the major chemical components of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of α-pinene on cariogenic properties such as growth, acid production, biofilm formation, and bactericidal activity on S. mutans. Alpha-pinene at a concentration range of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and acid production of S. mutans. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited at < 0.0625 mg/mL α-pinene, similar to the data from scanning electronic microscopy. Under confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacterial viability was decreased by α-pinene in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that α-pinene may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of S. mutans.

Keyword

Chrysanthemum boreale; α-pinene; dental caries; Streptococcus mutans; bacteria; adhesion

MeSH Terms

Bacteria
Biofilms
Chronic Disease
Chrysanthemum
Dental Caries
Dental Plaque
Microbial Viability
Microscopy
Microscopy, Confocal
Plants*
Streptococcus mutans