Effect of emodin on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans and the development of caries in rats.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- JING-SHU XU; YUN CUI; XIAN-MIN LIAO; XIAO-BIN TAN; XUE CAO
- Source
- Experimental & Therapeutic Medicine. 2014, Vol. 8 Issue 4, p1308-1312. 5p.
- Subject
- *TREATMENT of dental caries
*EMODIN
*CARIOGENIC agents
*STREPTOCOCCUS mutans
*VIRULENCE of bacteria
*BACTERIAL mutation
*SUPPRESSOR mutation
*LABORATORY rats
- Language
- ISSN
- 1792-0981
Emodin is an active herbal component traditionally used in East Asian countries for treating a variety of diseases. The present study investigated the effects of emodin on specific virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in vitro and on caries development in vivo. The growth and acid production of S. mutans were significantly inhibited by emodin (0.5.2 mg/ml). Emodin also significantly suppressed the synthesis of insoluble glucans by S. mutans. Furthermore, the topical application of emodin reduced the incidence and severity of carious lesions in rats. These results suggest that the natural compound emodin may be a novel pharmacological agent for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]