Trans,trans-farnesol, an antimicrobial natural compound, improves glass ionomer cement properties

PLoS One. 2019 Aug 20;14(8):e0220718. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220718. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

A series of experiments were conducted to characterize a novel restorative material. We explored the effect on biological, physical and chemical properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC) adding-the naturally occurring tt-farnesol (900 mM). Two groups were accomplished for all assays: GIC+tt-farnesol and GIC (control). Biological assays: 1) agar diffusion against some cariogenic bacteria; 2) S. mutans biofilm formation and confocal laser scanning microscopy-CLSM. 3) gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, gbpB, vicR, and covR expression; 4) MTT and microscopic morphology. Physical properties assays: 1) roughness; 2) hardness; 3) compressive strength and 4) diametral tensile strength. Chemical assay: Raman spectroscopy. The adding of tt-farnesol to GIC led to larger zones of inhibition (p<0.05), biofilms with a short-term reduction in bacterial viability but similar biomass (p>0.05). Polysaccharides levels increased over time, similarly over groups (p>0.05). Viable and non-viable S. mutans were seen on the specimens' surface by CLSM but their virulence was not modulated by tt-farnesol. The tt-farnesol increased the HaCaT cell viability without impact on compressive and diametral tensile strength and roughness although the hardness was positively affected (p<0.05). Raman confirmed the presence of tt-farnesol. The incorporation of tt-farnesol into GIC inhibited the growth of cariogenic bacteria but had a little effect on the composition, structure and physiology of the biofilm matrices. Also, the tt-farnesol increased the hardness and the biocompatibility of the GIC, not influencing negatively other physical properties of the restorative material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Farnesol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Farnesol / pharmacology*
  • Glass Ionomer Cements / chemistry*
  • Glass Ionomer Cements / pharmacology*
  • Hardness
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects
  • Streptococcus mutans / physiology
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Glass Ionomer Cements
  • Farnesol

Grants and funding

This study was supported by two scholarships from São Paulo Research Foundation- FAPESP (2014/01723-9 and 2015/08871-6; https://bv.fapesp.br/en/pesquisador/62128/aline-rogeria-freire-de-castilho/) to the first author (ARFdC) and grants from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development- CNPq (443036/2014-4 to ARFdC; 310522/2015-3 to PLR; 312868/2017-0 to RMPR; http://www.cnpq.br). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.