Studies on dental caries prevention by traditional medicines. VIII. Inhibitory effect of various tannins on glucan synthesis by glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans.

Abstract

Hydrolyzable tannins from crude drugs were examined for inhibitory activity against glucosyltransferase from a cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Pentagalloylglucose showed a strong inhibitory effect, whereas ellagitannins stimulated the glucan synthesis in 10% ethanol. All the gallotannins were more potent than chlorhexidine gluconate in an aqueous reaction mixture. Among them, penta- and hexagalloylglucose were the most potent, being inhibitory at a concentration of 10-3M. The inhibitory character of gallotannins depended on the number of galloyl residues.