Objectives: To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicines on the preliminary adherence of Streptococcus mutans to salivary acquired pellicles.
Methods: The hydroxyapatites beads were coated by saliva to form S-HA, an in vitro model of experimental pellicle. Streptococcus mutans was chosen as the experiment strain, and radiolabeled with 3H-thymidine. Two parts of adherence inhibit study were carried on with medicines pretreated S-HA and medicines pretreated bacteria. The numbers of 3H-thymidine labeled bacteria attached to S-HA were counted by scintillation counting to indicate the amount of adherence.
Results: It was found that most of the traditional Chinese medicines tested could inhibit the adherence to S-HA to different extent, especially the Galla Chinensis, which has significant inhibitory action.
Conclusion: Galla Chinensis may be a prospective medicine to inhibit the cariogenic bacteria's preliminary adherence to salivary acquired pellicles.