Cationic Amphiphilic Polymers with Antimicrobial Activity for Oral Care Applications: Eradication of <i>S. mutans</i> Biofilm

Abstract

The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of cationic amphiphilic methacrylate polymers against cariogenic bacterium S. mutans were investigated. Cationic homopolymer PE₀ and copolymer PE₃₁ containing 31 mol % of ethyl methacrylate were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These polymers displayed bactericidal activity toward S. mutans and prevented biofilm formation by killing the planktonic bacteria. At a concentration of 1000 μg/mL when incubated for 2 h the polymers reduced >80% of biofilm biomass. When the polymer assay solution with the biofilm was vigorously mixed using a pipet for 30 s, >50% of biofilm mass was removed at a polymer concentration of 250 μg/mL. Chlorhexidine and a cationic surfactant failed to reduce the biofilm mass at the same concentration. PE₀ was the most effective in removing biofilm and did not show any significant cytotoxicity to human gingival fibroblast and periodontal ligament stem cells when incubated for 10 min.