Modulating effects of pathogenic oral bacteria

The Chinese herbal medicine kouboku could be effective at managing periodontitis-causing Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria.

In a study published in Molecular Oral Microbiology, researchers examined methyl mercaptan production, biofilm formation, P. gingivalis-host cell interactions and antibiotic effects following treatment with or without kouboku in in vitro models.

The researchers found no statistically significant differences in the suppression of methyl mercaptan production between the P. gingivalis strains included in the study following kouboku treatment. The medicine was effective at inhibiting biofilm formation as well as adhesion of the bacteria to gingival epithelial cells and other bacteria. Additionally, kouboku’s active ingredients were capable of decreasing the minimum inhibitory concentrations of several antibiotics — including ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin and tetracycline.

The findings suggested that use of kouboku may enhance the antibacterial effects of antibiotics. However, further studies using more types of P. gingivalis isolates from patients with periodontal disease are needed to better understand the benefits of the treatment.

Read more: Molecular Oral Microbiology

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