The ability of Streptococcus mutans to adhere to oral surfaces and form biofilm is a key step in the tooth decay process. The aim of this study was to investigate a berry (wild blueberry, cranberry, and strawberry) polyphenolic fraction, commercialized as Orophenol®, for its antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-adhesion properties on S. mutans. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the fraction with human oral epithelial cells was assessed. Phenolic acids, flavonoids (flavonols, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols), and procyanidins made up 10.71%, 19.76%, and 5.29% of the berry polyphenolic fraction, respectively, as determined by chromatography and mass spectrometry. The berry polyphenolic preparation dose-dependently inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation while not reducing bacterial growth. At concentrations ranging from 250 to 1000 µg/mL, the fraction inhibited the adhesion of S. mutans to both saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and saliva-coated nickel-chrome alloy. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that incubating S. mutans with the berry polyphenolic fraction was associated with a reduced expression of luxS gene, which regulates quorum sensing in S. mutans. The berry fraction did not show any significant cytotoxicity in an oral epithelial cell model. In conclusion, Orophenol®, which is a mixture of polyphenols from wild blueberry, cranberry and strawberry, possesses interesting anti-caries properties while being compatible with oral epithelial cells.
Keywords: S. mutans; anti-adhesion; anti-biofilm; berry polyphenols; epithelial cells; quorum sensing.