In vitro anti-bacterial and anti-adherence effects of natural polyphenolic compounds on oral bacteria

To investigate the action of different polyphenolic compounds, extracted from red wine, grape marc and pine bark, on oral bacteria. The anti-microbial activity of extracts was examined by determining the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration using the macro dilution broth technique. Their effect on the adherence was tested on growing cells of Streptococcus mutans on a glass surface and on a multi-species biofilm grown on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs. The effect on glucosyltransferase activity was analysed through the reductions in the overall reaction rate and the quantity of insoluble glucan (ISG) synthesized. Pine bark and grape marc extracts were the most effective inhibitors of the multi-species biofilm formation and of the ISG synthesis. The tested components showed an interesting anti-plaque activity in vitro. This is, to our knowledge, the first and the most complete report on the properties of wine and pine bark extracts that could be used for oral disease prevention purpose.