Down-Regulation of Glycosyl Transferase Genes in <i>Streptococcus Mutans </i>by <i>Punica Granatum </i>L<i>. </i>Flower and <i>Rhus Coriaria </i>L<i>. </i>Fruit Water Extracts

Abstract

In our previous studies, we showed the inhibitory effects of Punica granatum L. flower and Rhus coriaria L. fruit water extracts on dental plaque accumulation by several bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), on orthodontic wire by in-vitro assays. In this study, the anti-cariogenic properties of the extracts were evaluated by assessing their effects on expression of glycosyltransferase (gtf) genes, which are responsible for initial biofilm formation by S. mutans.