Composition Analysis and Inhibitory Effect ofSterculia lychnophoraagainst Biofilm Formation byStreptococcus mutans

Abstract

Pangdahai is a traditional Chinese drug, specifically described in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as the seeds ofSterculia lychnophoraHance. Here, we separatedS. lychnophorahusk and kernel, analyzed the nutrient contents, and investigated the inhibitory effects ofS. lychnophoraethanol extracts on cariogenic properties ofStreptococcus mutans, important bacteria in dental caries and plaque formation. Ethanol extracts ofS. lychnophorashowed dose-dependent antibacterial activity againstS. mutanswith significant inhibition at concentrations higher than 0.01 mg/mL compared with the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, biofilm formation was decreased byS. lychnophoraat concentrations > 0.03 mg/mL, while bacterial viability was decreased dose-dependently at high concentrations (0.04, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 mg/mL). Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract revealed a strong presence of alkaloid, phenolics, glycosides, and peptides while the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and organic acids was low. TheS. lychnophorahusk had higher moisture and ash content than the kernel, while the protein and fat content of the husk were lower (p<0.05) than those of the kernel. These results indicate thatS. lychnophoramay have antibacterial effects againstS. mutans, which are likely related to the alkaloid, phenolics, glycosides, and peptides, the major components ofS. lychnophora.