Objective: To assess the effects of different natural medicines on the growth and acid production of Actinomyces viscosus, thus making preparations for screening an effective agent to mediate the balance of oral microflora.
Methods: Actinomyces viscosus ATCC 19246 was chosen as the experimental bacteria. 11 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine, such as Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong, Sargentodoxa Cuneata and Galla Chinensis were extracted by means of maceration, percolation and reflux extraction. First, the values of MIC of various extracts were measured. Second, the experimental medium containing various extracts was prepared. The concentration of the extracts was lower than the MIC of the medicine, and the initial pH of the medium was 7.4. Then Actinomyces viscosus was cultured in the medium for 48 h, and finally the rest pH was measured.
Results: When the concentration of the medicines was lower than or equal to 8.000 mg/ml, it was found that all kinds of medicine except Radix Notoginseng can inhibit the growth of Actinomyces viscosus effectively, especially Polistes mandarinus and Semen Arecae. Tea polyphenols, Radix Notoginseng, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Polistes mandarinus and Sargentodoxa cuneata can inhibit the acid production of Actinomyces viscosus effectively, but Radix Scutellariae, Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong, Semen Arecae, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, Galla Chinensis and Catechu have no preliminary effect on it.
Conclusion: Tea polyphenols, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Polistes mandarinus and Sargentodoxa cuneata can inhibit the growth and the acid production of Actinomyces viscosus effectively.