Antimicrobial activity of fructus mume extract on orthodontic brackets

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Fructus mume on a monospecies- biofilm model established on orthodontic brackets in vitro. Materials and methods: The antimicrobial effect of Fructus mume extract on the planktonic Streprtococcus. mutans (S.mutans) was tested by microdilution method. The cell viability of S.mutans biofilm on Damon3 MX brackets (Ormco, USA) after exposure to Fructus mume extract was quantified by XTT reduction assay. Visualization of the samples was performed using fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: The Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Fructus mume extract on the planktonic S.mutans was 50mg/mL. After exposure to 250mg/mL Fructus mumes extract for 1 minute, the cell viability of S.mutans biofilm on bracket was reduced by about 24%. Image analysis showed that Fructus mumes extract obviously increased the amount of dead bacteria on the surface of brackets. Conclusion: Fructus mume extract showed proper inhibitory effects on the viability of S. mutans biofilm on orthodontic brackets in vitro which may indicate its use as an oral antimicrobial agent for orthodontic patients. This study was supported by the 2008 Innovation in Oral Care Awards (International Association for Dental Research/ GlaxoSmithKline