Antibacterial, anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm-forming activity of plant complexes against periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro

Periodontitis is a problem urgent in Russia and throughout the world in general. Because of the dynamically changing flora causing this diseases, the treatment methods designed against it should be adapted on a regular basis. The classic approach to arresting development of the acute process relies on 0.2–0.12% chlorhexidine, a chemical antiseptic, but after 3 weeks of use, its efficacy drops drastically because pathogenic flora adjusts thereto. In the recent years, plantbased complexes with antiseptic properties have shown their capacity to challenge the classic approach. Obviously, efficacy of active ingredients depends on the form of the final product. The marker of periodontitis in the oral cavity is Staphylococcus aureus. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii have virulence markers that are copathogens for periodontitis. This study aimed to find plant-based preparations capable of eliminating the said microbes and Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius, Enterococcus faecalis. We compared antibacterial, adhesion and biofilm formation preventing properties of Phytodent plant-based products in various forms: water solution, water-alcohol solution, oil solution, gel. Long exposure form — gel — proved to be the most effective in terms of the properties tested. Products with synthetic and plant-based antiseptics, as well as those with plant-based antiseptics in maximum concentration (elixir), had comparable efficacy. Water and oil solutions are less effective because of the lower active ingredient concentration and relatively brief exposure. Our results support the results of clinical studies dedicated to the use of Phytodent products as oral care products in the context of periodontitis prevention and treatment. We recommend conducting further studies comparing compositions, cross- and comparative studies investigating the effect of frequency of application and time of exposure, such studies registering titers of active ingredient concentrations, and with subjects thereof including mixed biofilms.