Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation of therapeutic potential of Bacopa-derived asiatic acid against a human oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans

Authors

Rajendran Jeyasri, Alagappa University
Pandiyan Muthuramalingam, Alagappa University, Gyeongsang National University
Arumugam Priya, Alagappa University, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Rajaiah Alexpandi, Alagappa University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
N. R. Siva Shanmugam, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Saminathan Nivetha, Alagappa University
Hyunsuk Shin, Gyeongsang National University
Shunmugiah Karutha Pandian, Alagappa University
Arumugam Veera Ravi, Alagappa University
Manikandan Ramesh, Alagappa University

Date of this Version

5-20-2024

Document Type

Article

Citation

Jeyasri R, Muthuramalingam P, Priya A, Alexpandi R, Shanmugam NRS, Nivetha S, Shin H, Pandian SK, Ravi AV and Ramesh M (2024) Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation of therapeutic potential of Bacopa-derived asiatic acid against a human oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans. Front. Microbiol. 15:1404012. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1404012

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

Dental caries is a common human oral disease worldwide, caused by an acid-producing bacteria Streptococcus mutans. The use of synthetic drugs and antibiotics to prevent dental caries has been increasing, but this can lead to severe side effects. To solve this issue, developing and developed countries have resorted to herbal medicines as an alternative to synthetic drugs for the treatment and prevention of dental caries. Therefore, there is an urgent need for plant-derived products to treat such diseases. Bacopa monnieri, a well-documented medicinal plant, contains 52 phytocompounds, including the pentacyclic triterpenoid metabolite known as asiatic acid (ASTA). Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, the antibacterial activity of phytocompound ASTA against S. mutans. The findings revealed that ASTA significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and the production of virulence factors such as acidurity, acidogenicity, and eDNA synthesis. Molecular docking analysis evaluated the potential activity of ASTA against S. mutans virulence genes, including VicR and GtfC. Furthermore, toxicity assessment of ASTA in human buccal epithelial cells was performed, and no morphological changes were observed. An in vivo analysis using Danio rerio (zebrafish) confirmed that the ASTA treatment significantly increased the survival rates of infected fish by hindering the intestinal colonization of S. mutans. Furthermore, the disease protection potential of ASTA against the pathognomonic symptom of S. mutans infection was proven by the histopathological examination of the gills, gut, and kidney. Overall, these findings suggest that ASTAmay be a promising therapeutic and alternative drug for the treatment and prevention of oral infection imposed by S. mutans.