Antibacterial Effects of <i>Ramulus mori</i> Oligosaccharides against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>

oleh: Erna Li, Shipei Li, Siyuan Wang, Qian Li, Daorui Pang, Qiong Yang, Qiaoling Zhu, Yuxiao Zou

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-08-01

Deskripsi

<i>Ramulus mori</i> has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine because of its physiological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Antimicrobial properties of <i>Ramulus mori</i> extract have been well described. However, no information is available regarding on <i>Ramulus mori</i> oligosaccharides (RMOS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RMOS on the growth and virulence properties of the cariogenic bacterium <i>Streptococcus mutans.</i> The effects of RMOS on the biofilm structure and virulence gene expression of <i>S. mutans</i> were also evaluated, and the results were compared with the effects of commercial prebiotic galactooligosaccharides. RMOS were found to have an antibacterial effect against <i>S. mutans</i>, resulting in significant reductions in acid production, lactate dehydrogenase activity, adhesion, insoluble extracellular polysaccharide production, glucosyltransferase activity, and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the biofilm structure was visibly damaged. A quantitative real-time PCR assay revealed downregulation of virulence gene-regulated acid production, polysaccharide production, adhesion, biofilm formation, and quorum sensing. These findings suggest that RMOS may be a promising natural product for the prevention of dental caries.