The Antimicrobial Activity of Pomegranate Polyphenol Extract (POMx) Lozenges in a Saliva-Derived Biofilm Model System.
The ellagitannin type polyphenols present in Pomegranate extracts (POMx) have been
associated with numerous health benefits including antibacterial activities.
Despite their antibacterial potency, however, these purified pomegranate polyphenol extracts need to be incorporated into a delivery system for convenient human treatments. In this study, we performed a detailed investigation of the antimicrobial activity of pomegranate polyphenol fortified lozenges against oral bacteria including the major cariogenic species Streptococcus mutans.
Since oral bacteria exert their cariogenic effects when they are attached as biofilms on the tooth surface,
we developed a stationary saliva-derived biofilm model for high throughput parallel screening
to assess effects on bacteria in their biologically relevant mode. We found strong antibacterial
activities (up to >99% killing of biofilm cells) for the POMx lozenges at exposure times (15-20
min) relevant for lozenge consumption. Most interestingly, S. mutans appeared to be even more
sensitive to these products than the general biofilm population. Furthermore, consistent with
data derived for polyphenols extracted from other plants, the POMx lozenges completely prevented bacterial surface adherence as determined by live imaging.
In summary, our data show that the strong antibacterial and anti-adherence activities of pomegranate extracts are maintained after processing in products such as the POMx lozenges that can be easily consumed and are therefore excellent candidates for prevention and possibly treatment of oral disease.
Dent Open J. 2015; 2(4): 112-120. doi: 10.17140/DOJ-2-121
