Evaluation and Comparison of the Antibacterial Activity against Streptococcus mutans of Grape Seed Extract at Different Concentrations with Chlorhexidine Gluconate: An in vitro Study

Effect of flavonoids from grape seed and cranberry extracts on the microbiological activity of Streptococcus mutans: a systematic review of in vitro studies

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the available scientific evidence from in vitro studies regarding the effect induced by the flavonoids contained in grape seed extracts (GSE) and cranberry on the microbiological activity of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans).

METHODS

This systematic review was performed following the parameters of the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). Electronic and manual searches were conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane databases. Reference lists of selected articles were reviewed to identify relevant studies. The search was not limited by year and was conducted solely in English. Eligible studies comprised publications describing in vitro studies that evaluated the effect of flavonoids derived from GSE and cranberry extracts on the microbiological activity of S. mutans. Common variables were identified to consolidate the data. Authors of this review independently screened search results, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias.

RESULTS

Of the 420 studies identified from the different databases, 22 publications were finally selected for review. The risk of bias was low in 13 articles and moderate in 9. The studies analyzed in this review revealed that cranberry extract has an inhibitory effect on the bacterial growth of S. mutans in ranges from 0.5 mg/mL to 25 mg/mL, and GSE exerts a similar effect from 0.5 mg/mL to 250 mg/mL. Additionally, the extracts or their fractions showed reduced biofilm formation capacity, decreased polymicrobial biofilm biomass, deregulation of glycosyltransferases (Gtf) B and C expression, and buffering of pH drop. In addition to adequate antioxidant activity related to polyphenol content.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall results showed that the extracts of cranberry and grape seed were effective in reducing the virulence factors of the oral pathogen. According to the data, proanthocyanidins are the active components in cranberry and grape seed that effectively resist S. mutans. They can inhibit the formation of insoluble polysaccharides in the extracellular matrix and prevent glycan-mediated adhesion, cohesion, and aggregation of the proteins in S. mutans. This suggests that these natural extracts could play an important role in the prevention of cariogenic bacterial colonization, as well as induce a decrease in their microbiological activity.

Assessment of the Remineralizing Efficacy of Grape Seed Extract vs Sodium Fluoride on Surface and Subsurface Enamel Lesions: An In Vitro Study

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of grape seed extract (GSE) on remineralization of surface and subsurface enamel lesions compared to that of sodium fluoride (NaF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 20 intact bovine incisor crowns were separated from their roots and immersed in a demineralizing solution for 96 hours at 37°C to create artificial enamel lesions. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10): 6.5% GSE solution and 1000 ppm NaF solution. The specimens were subjected to six daily pH cycles for 8 days. The microhardness test was carried out at three different stages: baseline, after artificial caries formation, and after pH cycling. Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the depth of enamel remineralization. Surface morphology and elemental analysis were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscope, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the mean values of enamel surface microhardness after pH cycles in the two groups compared to after artificial caries formation, but there was no significant difference between both groups. The B-type carbonate/phosphate (Ca/P) ratio at 10 and 40 µm depth revealed no significant difference between the two groups. Scanning electron microscope micrograph revealed occlusion of porosities and particle precipitation on the enamel surface of the two groups, while EDX results for the Ca/P ratio of the GSE and NaF groups were 1.59 and 1.60, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Grape seed extract and NaF are equally effective in remineralizing surface and subsurface artificial enamel lesions.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Grape seed extract can be considered a promising herbal material and a safe alternative to traditional NaF for the noninvasive treatment of enamel lesions.

In vitro antibacterial effect of Pimpinella anisum essential oil on Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

INTRODUCTION

Pimpinellaanisum is a medicinal plant with antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-oxidative properties. Limited studies have assessed the antibacterial properties of Pimpinellaanisum on oral and dental pathogens.

Incorporation of grape seed extract towards wound care product development

Naturally derived ingredients are becoming more prevalent in therapeutic drug formulations due to consumers' concerns about chemical side effects. In the context of wound care, despite the impressive progress in therapeutic product development, drugs dispensed to treat impaired healing challenged by biofilms; excessive inflammation and oxidation are not yet really effective. Thus, the hunts for improved drug formulations preferably using natural ingredients that are cost-effective in accelerating the wound-healing process are of constant demand. The grape seed extract is extensively studied and is reported to be rich in phenolic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins which exhibit numerous therapeutic benefits owing to their anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative properties that support its potential use in the development of wound-healing products. We conducted a literature study using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar including the keywords "grape seed extract" and "wound healing". We also scanned all the references cited by the retrieved articles. Accordingly, this review is aimed to (i) explore the various phytochemical constituents found in grape seed extracts along with their mechanism of action that instigate wound healing, (ii) to highlight the latest pre-clinical and clinical assessments of grape seed extract in wound models, and (iii) to encourage innovation scientists in the field to address current limitations and to effectively develop grape seed extract-based wound care product formulations for commercialization.

Prevention of dental caries by grape seed extract supplementation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Dental caries are the most prominent chronic disease of children and adults worldwide, and facilitating evidence-based, preventative care for their prevention is critical. Caries are traditionally and successfully prevented by regular fluoride use, but there are opportunities to halt and restore caries with alternative agents in addition to fluoride use. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a readily available plant-based supplement that, due to its concentrated levels of proanthocyanidins, has promising characteristics that may assist in dental caries prevention.

AIM

The goal of this review was to investigate whether current research supports use of grape seed extract to prevent dental caries formation.

METHODS

A systematic review of articles related to grape seed extract, prevention of dental caries, inhibition of Streptococcus mutans, and remineralization was conducted. Articles were first chosen by inclusion of dental models that used grape seed extract as an intervention, and then by strength of study design.

RESULTS

Twenty articles were reviewed. Studies overall supported three unique grape seed extract properties facilitating dental caries prevention. In the first articles reviewed, grape seed extract inhibited proliferation of bacterial biofilms on tooth surfaces. In addition, studies reviewed indicated that grape seed extract promoted dental remineralization.

CONCLUSIONS

Caries prevention by grape seed extract may be unique compared with fluoride, and is linked to grape seed extract's bacteriostatic and collagen crosslinking properties. Future research should investigate potential delivery methods, and benefits of combined grape seed extract use with known caries preventative agents, in human participants.