Abstract
The effect of propolis collected in Brazil on the adsorption ofStreptococcus sanguisto saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and on the coaggregation reaction betweenS. sanguisandFusobacterium nucleatumwas studied using radio-labeled bacterial cells. The antibacterial activity of a propolis-containing toothpaste against cariogenic and plaque-forming bacteria was also investigated. An ethanolic solution of propolis (10 and 20 mg/mL) significantly reduced bacterial adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (25.3% and 29.6%, p<0.05) . Coaggregation reaction was also significantly inhibited by 42.9% (10 mg/mL, p<0.01) and 56.2% (20 mg/mL, p<0.01) . The toothpaste completely inhibited the growth of 20 bacterial strains, including Streptococcus, Actinomyces and Lactobacillus at a concentration range of 3-7 mg/mL. In addition to previously reported effects of propolis on mutans streptococci, propolis used in the present study was shown to possess remarkable potency to inhibit plaque formation and development. Propolis and propolis-containing toothpaste might represent potent inhibitory agents against dental plaque formation.
