Antimicrobial effect of carvacrol against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of carvacrol against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria and its cytotoxicity in human oral tissue cells. We tested their antibacterial properties against mutans streptococci and five major periodontopathic bacterial species involved in periodontal disease. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The cell viability of carvacrol on normal human gingival fibroblast (NHGF) cells was tested by metyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The data showed that carvacrol had remarkable antimicrobial effect on tested bacteria with a MIC and MBC values ranged from 16 to 128 μg/ml and from 32 to 128 μg/ml, respectively. In cell toxicity studies, carvacrol had significantly decreased cell viability when NHGF cells were treated at 128 μg/ml. These findings suggest that carvacrol has a strong antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria. However, in order to use it as a component of gargling solution or toothpaste, its concentration should be below 64 μg/ml and other compounds having an antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria should be used together. © 2012, The Microbiological Society of Korea.