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This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of terpinen-4-ol against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus and its influence on gbpA ( S. mutans ) and slpA ( L. acidophilus ) gene expression. As measured by XTT assay, the concentrations of terpinen-4-ol that effectively inhibited the biofilm were 0.24% and 0.95% for S. mutans and L. acidophilus , respectively. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of a biofilm attached to the enamel and dentin block surfaces with significant terpinen-4-ol effects against these microorganisms. The expression of the gbpA and slpA genes involved in adherence and biofilm formation was investigated using RT-PCR. Expression of these genes decreased after 15 min with 0.24% and 0.95% terpinen-4-ol in S. mutans and L. acidophilus , respectively. These findings demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of terpinen-4-ol and its ability to modulate the expression of gbpA and slpA genes, emphasizing the therapeutic capacity of terpinen-4-ol as an alternative to inhibit adherence in biofilm.

Objectives: To assess the biological, antimicrobial, and mechanical effects of the treatment of deep dentin with simvastatin (SV) before application of a glass-ionomer cement (GIC). Materials and methods: Dentin discs were adapted to artificial pulp chambers and SV (2.5 or 1.0 mg/mL) was applied to the occlusal surface, either previously conditioned or not with EDTA (±EDTA). The extracts (culture medium + SV that diffused through dentin) was obtained and then applied to cultured odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. Cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineralization nodule (MN) deposition were evaluated. Untreated discs were used as control. The antibacterial activity of SV (2.5 or 1.0 mg/mL) against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as the bond strength of GIC to dentin in the presence of SV 2.5 mg/mL (±EDTA) were also assessed. The data were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey tests (α = 5%). Results: EDTA + SV 2.5 mg/mL significantly enhanced the ALP activity and MN deposition in comparison with the control, without changing in the cell viability (p < 0.05). The association EDTA + SV 2.5 mg/mL + GIC determined the highest ALP and MN values (p < 0.05). SV presented intense antimicrobial activity, and the EDTA dentin conditioning followed by SV application increased bond strength values compared with SV treatment alone (p < 0.05). Conclusion: SV presents antimicrobial activity and diffuses across conditioned dentin to biostimulate odontoblast-like pulp cells. Clinical significance: The use of SV as adjuvant agent for indirect pulp capping may biostimulate pulp cells thus preserving vitality and function of the pulp-dentin complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]