The potential of reuterin derived from Indonesian strain of against endodontic pathogen biofilms in vitro and ex vivo.

OBJECTIVES

Despite the use of common irrigating solution with antimicrobial properties, failed root canal treatment remains a significant problem in endodontics. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of reuterin derived from probiotic bacteria, on the biofilms of major endodontic pathogens using ex vivo model of root canal infections.

METHODS

Biofilms of major endodontic pathogens namely , , and were formed on root canals of 60 human premolar tooth samples accordingly a standard protocol. Thereafter, teeth were treated with either 2.5 % NaOCl (positive control), various concentrations of reuterin (test-group) or sterilized-distilled water (negative control) in a time-dependent assay. The efficacy of irrigation was evaluated by a time-dependent assay at 5 min and 30 min after irrigation by colony-forming units assay. The findings were further confirmed by species-specific real-time PCR. Data were statistically analysed using one way ANOVA with a significance level of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Reuterin isolated from was effective against , , , and biofilms, with a concentration of 100 µg/mL being the most effective compared to the negative control (P < 0.05) and also showed similar efficacy when compared with NaOCl

CONCLUSION

Reuterin isolated from has ability to inhibit in vitro and ex-vivo biofilms of endodontic pathogens, namely and Reuterin has potential as a root canal irrigating solution due to its antibiofilm activity. Further research is warranted to determine the potential of probiotic bacteriotherapy in root canal systems.