Targeting cariogenic virulence of Streptococcus mutans by pinosylvin: a promising anti-cariogenic natural agent
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College
- 2School of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College
- 3School of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College
- 4School of Basic Medical Sciences and Law, North Sichuan Medical College
- 5School of Medical Imaging, North Sichuan Medical College
- 6College of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College
- 7Biotechnology Innovation Drug Application and Transformation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, North Sichuan Medical College
Abstract
Dental caries continues to be a serious worldwide public health issue, with Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) identified as the primary etiological pathogen. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-cariogenic potential of pinosylvin (PIN) against S. mutans . A combination of in vitro and in vitro experiments was performed to characterize the anti-cariogenic effects of PIN. In vitro assays were conducted to determine the impacts of PIN on the growth, bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and lactic acid synthesis of S. mutans . Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to quantify the transcript abundance of key cariogenic virulence genes, including gtfB, gtfC , and gtfD . A rat dental caries model was adopted to assess the biosafety and in vitro anti-cariogenic efficacy of PIN. PIN inhibited the growth, bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and lactic acid synthesis of S. mutans . Consistent with these phenotypic alterations, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that PIN downregulated the expression of core cariogenic virulence genes gtfB, gtfC , and gtfD . In vivo , PIN exhibited favorable biocompatibility and anti-cariogenic effects in the rat caries model. Collectively, these findings suggest that PIN exerts anti-cariogenic activity against S. mutans by suppressing multiple virulence-associated phenotypes and downregulating key cariogenic genes. The in vivo findings further support its biocompatibility and potential anti-cariogenic effect. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and suitable delivery strategies of PIN remain to be clarified in future studies.
Related
- Oral Candida colonisation and cariogenic bacteria in children and adolescents with cleft lip and/or palate: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Type VII secretion system promotes Streptococcus agalactiae virulence through magnesium acquisition and capsule maintenance
- Plant-Derived Anti-Virulence Metabolites Targeting Gram-Negative Phytopathogens: Recent Advances and Perspectives
- Genomic islands associated with host adaptation and probiotic-related functions in Streptococcus thermophilus
- StIA is a Novel Nucleoid-Associated Protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae that Activates DNA Topoisomerase I
BibTeX
@article{shu2026targeting,
title = {{Targeting cariogenic virulence of Streptococcus mutans by pinosylvin: a promising anti-cariogenic natural agent}},
author = {Jingyan Shu and Wei Liu and Yi Qiu and Xinyu Liao and Yuxuan Xiong and Xiang Xie and Yi Xu and Yangyutong Liu and Ying Liu and Jiakuan Peng and Xue Mei},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1911157},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1911157/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Targeting cariogenic virulence of Streptococcus mutans by pinosylvin: a promising anti-cariogenic natural agent
AU - Jingyan Shu
AU - Wei Liu
AU - Yi Qiu
AU - Xinyu Liao
AU - Yuxuan Xiong
AU - Xiang Xie
AU - Yi Xu
AU - Yangyutong Liu
AU - Ying Liu
AU - Jiakuan Peng
AU - Xue Mei
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1911157
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1911157/full
AB - Dental caries continues to be a serious worldwide public health issue, with Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) identified as the primary etiological pathogen. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-cariogenic potential of pinosylvin (PIN) against S. mutans . A combination of in vitro and in vitro experiments was performed to characterize the anti-cariogenic effects of PIN. In vitro assays were conducted to determine the impacts of PIN on the growth, bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and lactic acid synthesis of S. mutans . Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to quantify the transcript abundance of key cariogenic virulence genes, including gtfB, gtfC , and gtfD . A rat dental caries model was adopted to assess the biosafety and in vitro anti-cariogenic efficacy of PIN. PIN inhibited the growth, bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and lactic acid synthesis of S. mutans . Consistent with these phenotypic alterations, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that PIN downregulated the expression of core cariogenic virulence genes gtfB, gtfC , and gtfD . In vivo , PIN exhibited favorable biocompatibility and anti-cariogenic effects in the rat caries model. Collectively, these findings suggest that PIN exerts anti-cariogenic activity against S. mutans by suppressing multiple virulence-associated phenotypes and downregulating key cariogenic genes. The in vivo findings further support its biocompatibility and potential anti-cariogenic effect. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and suitable delivery strategies of PIN remain to be clarified in future studies.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -