Cissus Quadrangularis Shows Promise Against Antibiotic-Resistant Periodontal Bacteria
The keystone periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis poses a significant challenge in periodontitis treatment due to its high antibiotic resistance. Recent research highlights the potential of Cissus quadrangularis extracts as a promising natural alternative, exhibiting notable antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis.
Periodontitis is primarily driven by the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. This Gram-negative bacterium is notoriously difficult to treat, as it thrives in anaerobic conditions and can evade host immune responses while causing secondary infections. Current treatment protocols for periodontitis involve a combination of systemic and localized antibiotic therapies, often coupled with surgical interventions. However, P. gingivalis has developed significant resistance to common antibiotics, with resistance rates as high as 25% for amoxicillin and 21.5% for metronidazole, making it a formidable adversary in dental health.
As antibiotic resistance continues to escalate, the need for new antimicrobials becomes increasingly urgent. One promising avenue of exploration is the use of medicinal plants, which have historically served as a rich source of therapeutic compounds. Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), a plant well-known in traditional Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine, has been recognized for its wide range of medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, antiulcer, antioxidative, and osteogenic effects. Recent research has focused on the antibacterial potential of CQ extracts against P. gingivalis.
In this study, two different extracts of CQ — an aqueous extract and an ethanolic extract — were tested for their inhibitory effects on P. gingivalis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for both extracts was determined to be 500 µg/mL, with the ethanolic extract showing a higher inhibition rate compared to the aqueous extract. The ethanolic extract also demonstrated a lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration value, indicating its superior antibacterial activity.
These findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of CQ could be a potent natural antibacterial agent against P. gingivalis, potentially offering an alternative or adjunctive therapy for periodontal disease. Incorporating CQ into local drug delivery systems, such as mouthrinses and gels, could enhance its therapeutic application in clinical settings. While these results are promising, further research is needed to validate the efficacy of CQ against other periodontal pathogens and in clinical trials. Click here to read more.
