Effect of emodin on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans and the development of caries in rats
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Xiao-Bin Tan; Jing-Shu Xu; Xue Cao; Yun Cui; Xian-Min Liao
- Source
- Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
- Subject
- Cancer Research
Dentistry
Virulence
Microbiology
emodin
Streptococcus mutans
chemistry.chemical_compound
Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous)
In vivo
Medicine
caries
biology
business.industry
General Medicine
Articles
biology.organism_classification
Molecular medicine
In vitro
chemistry
Apoptosis
biology.protein
Glucosyltransferase
glucosyltransferase
Emodin
business
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1792-1015
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.