Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 60, Issue 4, July–August 2015, Page e131
Dental Abstracts

Inquiry
Honey to prevent or treat periodontitis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.denabs.2014.07.056Get rights and content

Section snippets

Background

Strong evidence links Porphyromonas gingivalis, an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium, to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Any treatment of periodontitis depends on an anti-infective regimen. Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) is widely used in periodontal treatments, with antibiotics reserved for severe cases to avoid the development of resistance and adverse side effects. Plant-based therapies, including combinations with antibiotics or the use of honey, have been proposed as alternative

Methods

The two honeys studied were Manuka and domestic beekeeper honey. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of each honey against P gingivalis were determined, as were the contents of methylglyoxal and hydrogen peroxide. The effects of propolis (up to 200 mg/L) and the two honeys (up to 10% weight/volume) were investigated against four P gingivalis strains in planktonic growth and a biofilm containing a single species.

Results

The Manuka honey contained 1.87 mg/kg hydrogen peroxide, whereas the domestic honey contained 3.74 mg/kg. The methylglyoxal component was 2 mg/kg in the domestic and 982 mg/kg in the Manuka honey.

MIC against 50% of the P gingivalis strains was 2% for the Manuka and 5% for the domestic honey. The growth of three strains was not inhibited by the domestic; Manuka honey failed to inhibit the growth of one. Both types of honey inhibited the formation of the P gingivalis biofilm within 24 hours of

Discussion

Honey exerts an antibacterial effect against P gingivalis strains, with the Manuka honey having a greater effect than the domestic honey. Adding honey or its compounds to oral health-care products may help to prevent and/or treat periodontitis.

Clinical Significance

P gingivalis is a major pathogen in the development of periodontitis. Its inhibition or destruction would be of benefit to patients. Although more studies are needed, it appears that honey, especially Manuka honey, may offer

References (0)

Cited by (0)

Eick S, Schäfer G, Kwieciński J, et al: Honey—a potential agent against Porphyromonas gingivalis: An in vitro study. BMC Oral Health 14:24, 2014

Reprints available from S Eick, Dept of Periodontology, Laboratory of Oral Microbiology, Dental School, Univ of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; e-mail: [email protected]

View full text