IADR Abstract Archives
Defining a Novel Anti-Microbial Role of The Endocannabinoid System
Objectives: Microorganisms in the oral cavity generate biofilm which cause diseases such as caries, periodontal diseases and candidiasis with no current ultimate pharmaceutical agent that completely neutralizes their destructive effects. Endocannabinoids are endogenous agents secreted by the body and activate the CB1/CB2 cannabinoid receptors. We tested whether endocannabinoids may contribute in preventing microbial pathologies in the oral cavity.
Methods: We examined the effects of endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and N-Arachidonoylethanolamine on bacterial specie Streptococcus mutans and fungal specie Candida albicans whom are both common in the oral cavity. The effects of these agents on planktonic growth were assessed by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The biofilm biomass was evaluated by the Crystal Violet Staining method. The metabolic activity levels were determined by the MTT Assay, and the biofilm thickness and density were observed through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM).
Results: The MIC method has shown mild inhibition rates of up to 22.8% of Streptococcus mutans planktonic growth. The CLSM indicated a prominent anti-biofilm effect on Streptococcus mutans. Nevertheless, the MTT assay showed only mild reduction, possibly due to environmental pressure caused by the endocannabinoids on the bacteria occupying the biofilm. This may indicate on a specific anti-biofilm effect of the endocannabinoids on bacteria. The Crystal Violet and MTT assays both presented significant inhibition rates of up to 86.2% of Candida albicans biofilm accompanied with similar results in CLSM. Considering the results, these endocannabinoids may be a unique cross kingdom anti-biofilm inhibitors.
Conclusions: The results may unveil a novel finding that the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and N-Arachidonoylethanolamine may have a distinctive role as a secondary line of defense against invading microorganisms. More so, these endogenous agents, found in saliva, may be part of the natural oral microbiome homeostasis. These findings contribute to the understanding of the homeostasis and pathogenesis in the oral cavity.
Methods: We examined the effects of endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and N-Arachidonoylethanolamine on bacterial specie Streptococcus mutans and fungal specie Candida albicans whom are both common in the oral cavity. The effects of these agents on planktonic growth were assessed by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The biofilm biomass was evaluated by the Crystal Violet Staining method. The metabolic activity levels were determined by the MTT Assay, and the biofilm thickness and density were observed through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM).
Results: The MIC method has shown mild inhibition rates of up to 22.8% of Streptococcus mutans planktonic growth. The CLSM indicated a prominent anti-biofilm effect on Streptococcus mutans. Nevertheless, the MTT assay showed only mild reduction, possibly due to environmental pressure caused by the endocannabinoids on the bacteria occupying the biofilm. This may indicate on a specific anti-biofilm effect of the endocannabinoids on bacteria. The Crystal Violet and MTT assays both presented significant inhibition rates of up to 86.2% of Candida albicans biofilm accompanied with similar results in CLSM. Considering the results, these endocannabinoids may be a unique cross kingdom anti-biofilm inhibitors.
Conclusions: The results may unveil a novel finding that the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and N-Arachidonoylethanolamine may have a distinctive role as a secondary line of defense against invading microorganisms. More so, these endogenous agents, found in saliva, may be part of the natural oral microbiome homeostasis. These findings contribute to the understanding of the homeostasis and pathogenesis in the oral cavity.
