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Synergistic effects of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii with antibiotics against oral pathogens

Eun-Jin Jang

Department of Dental Technology, Daegu Health College, Daegu, Republic of Korea

Sung-Mi Choi

Department of Dental Hygiene, Daegu Health College, Daegu, Republic of Korea

Jeong-Dan Cha

Department of Oral Microbiology and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea

DOI: 10.15761/DOCR.1000270

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Abstract

Trichosanthes kirilowii is a traditional medicine used in East Asia for treating patients with diabetes, cancer-associated symptoms, hepatoprotective, coughing, breast abscesses, antibacterial, and antiviral activity. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) with existing antimicrobial agents against oral pathogen. The synergistic effects and anti-biofilm of METK were evaluated against oral bacteria, either alone or with antibiotics, via broth dilution method and crystal violet assays. MIC/MBC values for METK, ampicillin, and gentamicin against all the tested bacteria ranged between 156-2500/313-5000 microg/mL, 0.25-64/0.25-64 microg/mL, and 0.5-256/1-512 microg/mL, respectively. The synergistic effects were exhitited on METK with antibiotics against oral bacteria at fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) <0.5. Moreover, METK and antibiotics were found to synergistically reduce biofilm formation. 1-6 hours of treatment with 1/2 MIC of METK with 1/2 MIC of antibiotics resulted from an increase of the rate of killing in units of CFU/mL to a greater degree than was observed with alone except S. sanguinis on ampicillin and S. criceti, S. anginosus, and S. gordonii on gentamicin. These results suggest that the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) is important in the antibacterial actions of oral pathogen agents.

Key words

Trichosanthes kirilowii, antibacterial activity, oral pathogen, biofilm formation, synergistic effect, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs)

Abbreviations:

METK: the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii; MICs: Minimum inhibitory concentrations; MBCs: Minimum bactericidal concentrations; CFU: Colony Forming Unit; FIC index: Fractional inhibitory concentration; FBC index: Fractional bactericidal concentration index

Introduction

Oral diseases are major health problems with dental caries and periodontal diseases among the most important preventable global infectious diseases [1]. Oral health influences the general quality of life and poor oral health is linked to chronic conditions and systemic diseases [2]. Oral biofilm acquires new microbial species in each stage of its development, including Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus sanguis, S. mutans, S. mitis and S. sobrinus, which due their pathogenicity could damage the enamel and gum tissue [3]. Diseases appear in this micro-environment when there is a lack of equilibrium in the ecosystem of the bacterial biofilm formed, and thus the mechanical removal of the biofilm is an important factor to prevention of caries and periodontal diseases [4,5]. The development of dental caries involves acidogenic and aciduric gram-positive bacteria, primarily the mutans streptococci (S. mutans and S. sobrinus), lactobacilli, and actinomycetes, which metabolize sucrose to organic acids (mainly lactic acid) that dissolve the calcium phosphate in teeth, causing decalcification and eventual decay [6]. Periodontal disease results from chronic infection and inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth [7].

Trichosanthes kirilowii is a traditional medicine used in East Asia for treating patients with diabetes, cancer-associated symptoms, coughing, and breast abscesses [8-11]. Trichosanthin (TCS), which is also known as type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein, is a chemical component derived from Trichosanthes kirilowii [12]. TCS acts as a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication and is known to have various antitumor functions [13]. Recently, it was reported that Cucurbitacin D, isolated from Trichosanthes kirilowii, have been known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities [14,15]. Cucurbitacins refer to a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids initially identified in the plant family of Cucurbitaceae [16,17].

In this study, the antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against oral bacteria were assessed using broth microdilution method and time-kill methods and crystal violet assay for synergistic effect and biofilm formation of the combination with antibiotics

Materials and methods

Bacterial strains

The oral bacterial strains used in this study were: Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus sanguinis ATCC 10556, Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 27607, Streptococcus ratti KCTC (Korean collection for type cultures) 3294, Streptococcus criceti KCTC 3292, Streptococcus anginosus ATCC 31412, Streptococcus gordonii ATCC 10558, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 43717, Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953, Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611, and Porphylomonas gingivalis ATCC 33277. Brain-Heart Infusion (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, MI) broth supplemented with 1% yeast extract (Difco) was used for all bacterial strains except P. intermedia and P. gingivalis. For P. intermedia and P. gingivalis, BHI broth containing hemin 1 μg/mL (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) and menadione 1 μg/mL (Sigma) was used.

Minimum inhibitory concentrations/minimum bactericidal concentrations assay

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) by the broth dilution method and were carried out in triplicate. The antibacterial activities were examined after incubation at 37℃ for 18 h (facultative anaerobic bacteria), for 24 h (microaerophilic bacteria), and for 1-2 days (obligate anaerobic bacteria) under anaerobic conditions. MICs were determined as the lowest concentration of test samples that resulted in a complete inhibition of visible growth in the broth. MIC50s and MIC90s, defined as MICs at which, 50 and 90%, respectively of oral bacteria were inhibited, were determined. Following anaerobic incubation of MICs plates, the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined on the basis of the lowest concentration of METK that kills 99.9% of the test bacteria by plating out onto each appropriate agar plate. Ampicillin and gentamicin (Sigma) were used as standard antibiotics in order to compare the sensitivity of METK against oral bacteria.

Checker-board dilution test

The antibacterial effects of a combination of METK, which exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, and antibiotics were assessed by the checkerboard test as previously described [18]. The antimicrobial combinations assayed included METK in with antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin. Serial dilutions of two different antimicrobial agents were mixed in cation-supplemented Mueller-Hinton broth. After 24-48 h of incubation at 37°C, the MICs were determined to be the minimal concentration at which there was no visible growth and MBCs were determined on the basis of the lowest concentration of METK that kills 99.9% of the test bacteria by plating out onto each appropriate agar plate. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC)/ fractional bactericidal concentration (FBC) index was calculated according to the equation: FIC/FBC index=FIC/FBCA+FIC/FBCB=(MIC/MBC of drug A in combination/MIC/MBC of drug A alone)+(MIC/MBC of drug B in combination/MIC/MBC of drug B alone). The FIC and FBC index are the sum of the FICs and FBCs of each of the drugs, which in turn is defined as the MIC and MBC of each drug when it is used in combination divided by the MIC and MBC of the drug when it is used alone. The interaction was defined as synergistic if the FIC and FBC index was less than or equal to 0.5, additive if the FIC and FBC index was greater than 0.5 and less than or equal 1.0, indifferent if the FIC and FBC index was greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.0, and antagonistic if the FIC and FBC index was greater than 2.0.

Biolm formation assay

Evaluation of the effect of METK on biofilm formation of oral bacteria by crystal violet biofilm formation assay was performed according to previous studies [19]. Briefly, 200 µL aliquots of treated oral bacteria (final concentration of 1.0 × 106 CFU/mL) at sub-lethal dose of METK (1/2 MIC) plus antibiotics (1/8 MIC) was transferred to a flat-bottomed sterile polystyrene microplate and incubated for 24-48 h at 37C under anaerobic conditions to form biofilm. Then, cells were washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), stained with 0.1% (wt/vol) crystal violet solution for 15 min, washed with PBS, and de-stained with 96% ethanol 10 min in order to fix the cells. Thereafter, the wells were rinsed and air-dried. 33% (vol/vol) acetic acid was then added to each well and biofilm formation was quantified by measuring the absorbance of the solution at 540 nm using a microplate reader (BMG LABTECH, USA).

Time-kill and growth inhibition curves assay

Bactericidal activities of the drugs under study were also evaluated using time-kill curves on oral bacteria. Tubes containing Mueller-Hinton supplemented to which antibiotics had been added at concentrations of the MIC50 were inoculated with a suspension of the test strain, giving a final bacterial count between 5~7×106 CFU/mL. The tubes were thereafter incubated at 37°C in an anaerobic chamber and viable counts were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 24 h after addition of antimicrobial agents, on agar plates incubated for up to 48 h in anaerobic chamber at 37°C. Antibiotic carryover was minimized by washings by centrifugation and serial 10-fold dilution in sterile phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.3. Colony counts were performed in duplicate, and means were taken. The solid media used for colony counts were BHI agar for streptococci and BHI agar containing hemin and menadione for P. intermedia and P. gingivalis.

Statistical analysis

Experiments were performed three times and statistical analyses were performed with parametric tests (two-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]) using commercial software (SPSS 22.0). The results were expressed as mean values ± standard deviations (mean ± SD) and were considered significant at the level of p < 0.05.

Results & discussion

Minimum inhibitory concentrations/minimum bactericidal concentrations of METK and antibiotics

The main etiological factor of dental caries and periodontal disease is dental plaque [20-22]. The known flavonoids of Trichosanthes kirilowii were including quercetin-3-O-[α-l-rhamnose(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, diosmetin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, luteolin, apigenin, and diosmetin [23,24]. These substances show inhibitory effects on glycolytic acid production and GTF activity of S. mutans and S. sobrinus as well as antimicrobial activities [25-27]. Apigenin exhibits moderate inhibitory effects on the activity of F-ATPase (25% inhibition), which could affect the acid-tolerance of S. mutans [27]. Luteolin, one of the components of perilla seed, showed the strongest antimicrobial effect among the phenolic compounds on dental caries and periodontal diseases [28]. The results of the antimicrobial activity showed that METK exhibited antimicrobial activities against cariogenic bacteria and periodontopathogenic bacteria at dose-dependent manner (Figures 1 and 2). The METK indicated as MICs, 156 to 1250 µg/mL; MBCs, 313 to 5000 µg/Ml in cariogenic bacteria and periodontopathogenic bacteria at MICs, 1250 to 2500 µg/mL; MBCs, 2500 to 5000 µg/mL and for ampicillin, either 0.25/0.25 or 64/64 μg/mL; for gentamicin, either 0.5/1 or 256/512 μg/mL on tested all bacteria (Table 1). The MIC50 and MIC90 ranges of METK were from 92.37 to 918.42 µg/mL and 156 to 2500 µg/mL, respectively. The METK showed stronger antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria than periodontopathogenic bacteria.

Figure 1.Antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus, S. ratti, S. criceti, and S. anginosus. Bacteria were incubated with several concentrations of METK for 24 h. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 6, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 vs. control group)

Figure 2.Antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against S. gordonii, A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and P. gingivalis. Bacteria were incubated with several concentrations of METK for 24 h. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 6, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 vs. control group)

Table 1. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against oral bacteria 

Strains

METK (µg/mL)

Ampicillin

Gentamicin

MIC50

MIC90

MIC/MBC

S. mutans ATCC 25175

132.7

623

625/2500

4/4

8/8

S. sanguinis ATCC 10556

299.45

625

625/1250

32/32

8/16

S. sobrinus ATCC 27607

201.49

625

625/2500

2/2

4/8

S. retti KCTC 3294

520.68

1250

1250/5000

4/4

4/8

S. criceti KCTC 3292

389.87

625

625/2500

4/4

8/8

S .anginosus ATCC 31412

274.34

625

625/1250

4/4

16/16

S. gordonii ATCC 10558

92.37

156

156/313

1/2

2/4

A. actinomycetemcomitans

ATCC 43717

419.66

1250

1250/5000

64/64

2/2

F. nucleatum ATCC 51190

447.14

2500

2500/5000

0.25/0.25

16/32

P. intermedia ATCC 49046

522.45

1250

1250/2500

32/32

0.5/1

P. gingivalis ATCC 33277

918.42

2500

2500/5000

0.5/1

256/512

1American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

2Korean collection for type cultures (KCTC)

Synergistic effect of METK with antibiotics

The extensive use of these antimicrobial agents can lead to some side-effects, such as tooth staining, calculus formation, drug resistance and gastrointestinal reactions [29-31]. Therefore, searching for new antimicrobial molecules, which exhibit few or no side-effects and long-term retention in oral cavity, has been intensified in recent years [32-34]. Combinations of some herbal materials and different antibiotics might affect the inhibitory effect of these antibiotics [35,36]. The synergistic effects of METK alone or with antibiotics were evaluated in oral bacteria (Tables 2 and 3). In combination with METK, the MIC for ampicillin was reduced ≥4-fold in tested bacteria, except S. sobrinus and S. anginosus producing a synergistic effect as defined by FICI ≤ 0.5. The MBC for ampicillin was shown synergistic effects in S. sanguinis, S. gordonii, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. gingivalis by FBCI ≤ 0.5 (Table 2). In combination with METK, the MIC for gentamicin was reduced ≥4-fold in all tested bacteria except S. anginosus by FICI ≤ 0.5 and MBC in S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus, S. ratti, S. criceti, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and P. gingivalis by FBCI ≤ 0.5 (Table 3).

Table 2. Checkerboard assay of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) and ampicillin against oral bacteria

Strains

Agent

MIC/MBC (µg/mL)

FIC/FBC

FICI/FBCI2

Outcome

Alone

Combination1

S. mutans

3ATCC 25175

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. sanguinis

ATCC 10556

METK

625/1250

156/313

0.25/0.25

0.375/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

32/32

4/8

0.125/0.25

S. sobrinus

ATCC 27607

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.75/0.75

Additive/

Additive

Ampicillin

2/2

1/1

0.5/0.5

S. retti

4KCTC 3294

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.625

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. criceti

KCTC 3292

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. anginosus

ATCC 31412

METK

625/1250

313/625

1/

0.5/0.5

0.75/1.0

Additive/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. gordonii

ATCC 10558

METK

156/313

39/78

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

1/2

0.25/0.5

0.25/0.25

A. actinomycetemcomitans

ATCC 43717

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.375/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

64/64

8/16

0.125/0.25

F. nucleatum

ATCC 51190

METK

2500/5000

313/625

0.125/0.125

0.375/0.625

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

0.25/0.25

0.063/0.125

0.25/0.5

P. intermedia

ATCC 49049

METK

1250/2500

313/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

32/32

8/16

0.25/0.5

P. gingivalis

ATCC 33277

METK

2500/5000

625/625

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

0.5/1

0.125/0.25

0.25/0.25

1The MIC and MBC of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) with ampicillin

2 The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index/fractional bactericical concentration (FBC) index

3American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

4Korean collection for type cultures (KCTC)

Table 3. Checkerboard assay of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) and gentamicin against oral bacteria

Strains

Agent

MIC/MBC (µg/mL)

FIC/FBC

FICI/FBCI2

Outcome

Alone

Combination1

S. mutans

3ATCC 25175

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Gentamicin

8/8

2/4

0.25/0.5

S. sanguinis

ATCC 10556

METK

625/1250

156/313

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

8/16

2/4

0.25/0.25

S. sobrinus

ATCC 27607

METK

625/2500

156/313

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

4/8

1/2

0.25/0.25

S. retti

4KCTC 3294

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

4/8

1/2

0.25/0.25

S. criceti

KCTC 3292

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.375/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

8/8

1/2

0.125/0.25

S. anginosus

ATCC 31412

METK

625/1250

313/625

0.5/0.5

0.75/0.75

Additive/

Additive

Gentamicin

16/16

4/4

0.25/0.25

S. gordonii

ATCC 10558

METK

156/313

39/156

0.25/0.5

0.5/1.0

Synergistic/

Additive

Gentamicin

2/4

0.5/2

0.25/0.5

A. actinomycetemcomitans

ATCC 43717

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.375/0.375

Synergistic/

Additive

Gentamicin

2/2

0.25/0.5

0.125/0.25

F. nucleatum

ATCC 51190

METK

2500/5000

625/1250

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

16/32

4/8

0.25/0.25

P. intermedia

ATCC 49049

METK

1250/2500

313/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

0.5/1

0.125/0.25

0.25/0.25

P. gingivalis

ATCC 33277

METK

2500/5000

625/1250

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

256/512

64/64

0.25/0.125

1The MIC and MBC of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) with gentamicin

2 The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index/fractional bactericical concentration (FBC) index

3American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

4Korean collection for type cultures (KCTC)

Anti-biofilm formation of METK with antibiotics

Many antimicrobial preparations, such as conventional antibiotics, chlorhexidine (CHX), phenolic compounds and triclosan, can inhibit bacteria and biofilm effectively [32,37-39]. Apigenin (4’, 5, 7-trihydroxyflavone) is a potent inhibitor of water insoluble glucans synthesis; tt-farnesol (3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol), displays activities against streptococcal membranes by increasing their proton permeability and inhibits acid production by S. mutans within biofilms [27,40].

In this study, METK 1/8 MIC with ampicillin 1/8 MIC effectively inhibited the formation of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. ratti, S. anginosus, and P. intermedia biofilms, with nearly 80% or more biofilm inhibition and gentamicin inhibited more than 80% biofilm formation in S. anginosus and nearly 80% effective in S. mutnas, S. gordonii, and P. intermedia (Figure 3).

Figure 3.Time-kill curves of MICs of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) alone and in combination with MICs of ampicillin or gentamicin against S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus, and S. ratti. Bacteria were incubated with METK along (●), METK with ampicillin (○), and METK with gentamicin (▲) over time. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of the four experiments. CFU, colony-forming units

Time kill of METK with antibiotics

The type of microorganisms and their cell membrane structure and composition could play an important role in the susceptibility to antimicrobials [40-42]. The flavonoids of plant exerting its antibacterial effects is connected with disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane and DNA targeting effects in microorganisms [42,43]. The bacterial effect of METK with antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin against oral bacteria was confirmed by time-kill curve experiments. The METK (MIC or MIC50) alone resulted rate of killing increasing or not changing in CFU/ml at time dependent manner, with a more rapid rate of killing by METK (MIC50) with ampicillin and/or gentamicin (MIC50) (Figures 4 and 5). A strong bactericidal effect was exerted in drug combinations.

Figure 4.Time-kill curves of MICs of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) alone and in combination with MICs of ampicillin or gentamicin against S. criceti, S. anginosus, S. gordonii, and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Bacteria were incubated with METK along (●), METK with ampicillin (○), and METK with gentamicin (▲) over time. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of the four experiments. CFU, colony-forming units

Figure 5.Time-kill curves of MICs of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) alone and its combination with MICs of ampicillin or gentamicin against F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and P. gingivalis. Bacteria were incubated with METK along (●), METK with ampicillin (○), and METK with gentamicin (▲) over time. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of the four experiments. CFU, colony-forming units

Indeed, the flavonoids inhibitory action against cariogenic bacteria has been suspected since long time [44]. The aqueous extracts contain more polar compounds, which are probably less effective against cariogenic bacteria, due to the strong hydrophobicity of their cell surfaces [45,46]. Inhibition of bacterial adherence to skin, mucosal and dental surfaces facilitated by topical application may also have beneficial effects in the prevention of infectious diseases, dental caries and periodontal disease. Plant phenolics-covered medical device surfaces may help in prevention of device-associated biofilm infections. The METK showed stronger antibacterial activity and antibiofilm formation against cariogenic bacteria than periodontic bacteria.

In conclusion, these findings suggest that METK fulfills the conditions required of a novel cariogenic bacteria and periodontal pathogens, particularly bacteroides species drug and may be useful in the future in the treatment of oral bacteria.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Sources of funding

This study was not funded by any organization.

Ethical approval

This study has no need for prior approval by an ethics committee.

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Editorial Information

Editor-in-Chief

Hao Yu
Fujian Medical University

Vagner Rodrigues
Federal University of Minas Gerais

Article Type

Research Article

Publication history

Received date: September 15, 2018
Accepted date: October 03, 2018
Published date: October 05, 2018

Copyright

© 2018 Jang EJ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation

Jang EJ, Choi SM, Cha JD (2018) Synergistic effects of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii with antibiotics against oral pathogens. Dent Oral Craniofac Res 4: DOI: 10.15761/DOCR.1000270

Corresponding author

Jeong-Dan Cha

Department of Oral Microbiology and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, 664-14 Duckjin-Dong, Duckjin-Ku, Jeonju, Chonbuk, 561-756 Republic of Korea

E-mail : bhuvaneswari.bibleraaj@uhsm.nhs.uk

Figure 1.Antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus, S. ratti, S. criceti, and S. anginosus. Bacteria were incubated with several concentrations of METK for 24 h. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 6, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 vs. control group)

Figure 2.Antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against S. gordonii, A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and P. gingivalis. Bacteria were incubated with several concentrations of METK for 24 h. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 6, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 vs. control group)

Figure 3.Time-kill curves of MICs of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) alone and in combination with MICs of ampicillin or gentamicin against S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus, and S. ratti. Bacteria were incubated with METK along (●), METK with ampicillin (○), and METK with gentamicin (▲) over time. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of the four experiments. CFU, colony-forming units

Figure 4.Time-kill curves of MICs of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) alone and in combination with MICs of ampicillin or gentamicin against S. criceti, S. anginosus, S. gordonii, and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Bacteria were incubated with METK along (●), METK with ampicillin (○), and METK with gentamicin (▲) over time. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of the four experiments. CFU, colony-forming units

Figure 5.Time-kill curves of MICs of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) alone and its combination with MICs of ampicillin or gentamicin against F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and P. gingivalis. Bacteria were incubated with METK along (●), METK with ampicillin (○), and METK with gentamicin (▲) over time. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of the four experiments. CFU, colony-forming units

Table 1. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) against oral bacteria 

Strains

METK (µg/mL)

Ampicillin

Gentamicin

MIC50

MIC90

MIC/MBC

S. mutans ATCC 25175

132.7

623

625/2500

4/4

8/8

S. sanguinis ATCC 10556

299.45

625

625/1250

32/32

8/16

S. sobrinus ATCC 27607

201.49

625

625/2500

2/2

4/8

S. retti KCTC 3294

520.68

1250

1250/5000

4/4

4/8

S. criceti KCTC 3292

389.87

625

625/2500

4/4

8/8

S .anginosus ATCC 31412

274.34

625

625/1250

4/4

16/16

S. gordonii ATCC 10558

92.37

156

156/313

1/2

2/4

A. actinomycetemcomitans

ATCC 43717

419.66

1250

1250/5000

64/64

2/2

F. nucleatum ATCC 51190

447.14

2500

2500/5000

0.25/0.25

16/32

P. intermedia ATCC 49046

522.45

1250

1250/2500

32/32

0.5/1

P. gingivalis ATCC 33277

918.42

2500

2500/5000

0.5/1

256/512

1American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

2Korean collection for type cultures (KCTC)

Table 2. Checkerboard assay of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) and ampicillin against oral bacteria

Strains

Agent

MIC/MBC (µg/mL)

FIC/FBC

FICI/FBCI2

Outcome

Alone

Combination1

S. mutans

3ATCC 25175

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. sanguinis

ATCC 10556

METK

625/1250

156/313

0.25/0.25

0.375/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

32/32

4/8

0.125/0.25

S. sobrinus

ATCC 27607

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.75/0.75

Additive/

Additive

Ampicillin

2/2

1/1

0.5/0.5

S. retti

4KCTC 3294

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.625

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. criceti

KCTC 3292

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. anginosus

ATCC 31412

METK

625/1250

313/625

1/

0.5/0.5

0.75/1.0

Additive/

Additive

Ampicillin

4/4

1/2

0.25/0.5

S. gordonii

ATCC 10558

METK

156/313

39/78

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

1/2

0.25/0.5

0.25/0.25

A. actinomycetemcomitans

ATCC 43717

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.375/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

64/64

8/16

0.125/0.25

F. nucleatum

ATCC 51190

METK

2500/5000

313/625

0.125/0.125

0.375/0.625

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

0.25/0.25

0.063/0.125

0.25/0.5

P. intermedia

ATCC 49049

METK

1250/2500

313/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Ampicillin

32/32

8/16

0.25/0.5

P. gingivalis

ATCC 33277

METK

2500/5000

625/625

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Ampicillin

0.5/1

0.125/0.25

0.25/0.25

1The MIC and MBC of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) with ampicillin

2 The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index/fractional bactericical concentration (FBC) index

3American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

4Korean collection for type cultures (KCTC)

Table 3. Checkerboard assay of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) and gentamicin against oral bacteria

Strains

Agent

MIC/MBC (µg/mL)

FIC/FBC

FICI/FBCI2

Outcome

Alone

Combination1

S. mutans

3ATCC 25175

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.75

Synergistic/

Additive

Gentamicin

8/8

2/4

0.25/0.5

S. sanguinis

ATCC 10556

METK

625/1250

156/313

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

8/16

2/4

0.25/0.25

S. sobrinus

ATCC 27607

METK

625/2500

156/313

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

4/8

1/2

0.25/0.25

S. retti

4KCTC 3294

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

4/8

1/2

0.25/0.25

S. criceti

KCTC 3292

METK

625/2500

156/625

0.25/0.25

0.375/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

8/8

1/2

0.125/0.25

S. anginosus

ATCC 31412

METK

625/1250

313/625

0.5/0.5

0.75/0.75

Additive/

Additive

Gentamicin

16/16

4/4

0.25/0.25

S. gordonii

ATCC 10558

METK

156/313

39/156

0.25/0.5

0.5/1.0

Synergistic/

Additive

Gentamicin

2/4

0.5/2

0.25/0.5

A. actinomycetemcomitans

ATCC 43717

METK

1250/5000

313/625

0.25/0.125

0.375/0.375

Synergistic/

Additive

Gentamicin

2/2

0.25/0.5

0.125/0.25

F. nucleatum

ATCC 51190

METK

2500/5000

625/1250

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

16/32

4/8

0.25/0.25

P. intermedia

ATCC 49049

METK

1250/2500

313/625

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.5

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

0.5/1

0.125/0.25

0.25/0.25

P. gingivalis

ATCC 33277

METK

2500/5000

625/1250

0.25/0.25

0.5/0.375

Synergistic/

Synergistic

Gentamicin

256/512

64/64

0.25/0.125

1The MIC and MBC of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii (METK) with gentamicin

2 The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index/fractional bactericical concentration (FBC) index

3American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

4Korean collection for type cultures (KCTC)