Potential of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana Extract as a Safe and Effective Antimicrobial Agent for Periodontal Applications

초록

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), the main pathogen in periodontal disease, requires effective control to maintain oral health. Due to cytotoxicity and antimicrobial resistance associated with chemical agents, safe natural alternatives are needed. This study assessed the antibacterial activity and biological safety of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana (S. williamsii var. coreana) extract against P. gingivalis. The extract was prepared by hot-water extraction with 70% ethanol, concentrated, and freeze-dried. Antibacterial effects were tested by applying different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/mL) to P. gingivalis under anaerobic conditions for 24 h, followed by colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. Cytotoxicity and morphology of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were evaluated using Water-Soluble Tetrazolium Salt (WST-1) and Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays. The extract showed dose-dependent antibacterial activity, achieving 99.99% reduction at 5 mg/mL and complete inhibition at 40 mg/mL (p < 0.05). WST-1 results indicated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with approximately 50-57% cell viability at 10 mg/mL. SRB assay showed no significant morphological damage was observed at concentrations below 10 mg/mL, however concentrations above this level induced nuclear condensation. These findings suggest that S. williamsii var. coreana extract has strong antibacterial effects against P. gingivalis with acceptable cytocompatibility, making it a promising natural alternative to chemical antimicrobials for periodontal disease prevention and treatment.

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