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4-epi-Pimaric acid: a phytomolecule as a potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent for oral cavity pathogens

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Abstract

The present study focused on the antibacterial and biofilm inhibitory potential of 4-epi-pimaric acid isolated from aerial parts (stem and leaves) of Aralia cachemirica L. (Araliaceae) against oral cavity pathogens. 4-epi-Pimaric acid exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range of 4–16 μg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) two- to four-folds higher than MIC. There was significant inhibition in the biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans on the saliva coated surface (P < 0.05), and confocal microscopy revealed that 4-epi-pimaric acid inhibited the clumping and attachment of S. mutans. At 8 × MIC concentration, it significantly prevented the pH drop and reduced S. mutans biofilms (P < 0.05). Increased propidium iodide staining and leakage of 260- and 280-nm absorbing material by 4-epi-pimaric acid treated cells of S. mutans suggested that it probably causes disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane structure. It also exhibited significant suppression of TNF-α expression in human neutrophils, suggestive of its anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, the compound was found to be significantly safe (IC50 >100 μg/ml) in the MTT assay on AML-12 cell lines. In conclusion, 4-epi-pimaric acid showed promising antibacterial, anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory potency and this compound can be exploited for therapeutic application in oral microbial infections.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the Corps Dental Hospital, Jammu, India for providing clinical samples. This work was supported by a grant from Colgate-Palmolive Company, New Jersey, USA, under the grant no. SSP0415.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Microbiology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India

    F. Ali & I. A. Khan

  2. Bioorganic Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India

    P. L. Sangwan & S. Koul

  3. Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India

    A. Pandey, S. Bani, S. T. Abdullah & P. R. Sharma

  4. Plant Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India

    S. Kitchlu

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  1. F. Ali
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Correspondence to I. A. Khan.

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Ali, F., Sangwan, P.L., Koul, S. et al. 4-epi-Pimaric acid: a phytomolecule as a potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent for oral cavity pathogens. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 149–159 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1287-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1287-x

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