Antimicrobial activity of selected essential oils against cariogenic bacteria

Nat Prod Res. 2013;27(18):1668-72. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2012.751595. Epub 2012 Dec 14.

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of nine selected essential oils (EOs) against a panel of oral pathogens was investigated in terms of their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by using the broth microdilution method. Most of the EOs displayed weak activity or were inactive against the selected oral pathogens, with MIC values ranging from 500 to 4000 μg/mL. However, the EO obtained from the leaves of Bidens sulphurea (Asteraceae) was found to display moderate activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 250 μg/mL) and significant activity against Streptococcus mitis (MIC = 31.25 μg/mL). Germacrene D (38.3%), trans-caryophyllene (18.0%), β-elemene (13.9%) and bicyclogermacrene (13.1%) were identified as the main chemical components of this oil. 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, previously described as the major constituent in the EO from the flowers of B. sulphurea, was not detected in this study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Asteraceae / chemistry*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology
  • Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane / pharmacology
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane
  • beta-elemene
  • caryophyllene
  • germacrene D