Maple compounds show promise in preventing tooth decay

Natural compounds found in maple extracts could offer a safe and natural way to prevent tooth decay, especially in children.

A study, published in Microbiology Spectrum by a team of scientists exploring dental health solutions, focused on how polyphenols from maple inhibit Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacteria behind plaque formation and cavities. The key target is sortase A, or SrtA, an enzyme that helps the bacteria stick to teeth by anchoring adhesion proteins to its cell wall.

Using computer modeling and lab experiments, researchers found that several maple-derived polyphenols — including (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) — strongly bind to and inhibit SrtA in S. mutans. This led to a significant reduction in the bacteria’s ability to form biofilms on both hydroxyapatite, or tooth-like material, and acrylic surfaces used in dental models, the study noted.

Among the tested compounds, ECG stood out for its potency, even outperforming its close relative, EGCG, found in green tea. The study found that its effectiveness was consistent across different bacterial strains.
 
“Given their efficacy, safety, and natural abundance, we propose that aqueous maple extracts or ECG alone could serve as a safe, cost-effective strategy for preventing dental caries,” the authors wrote. 

Read more: Microbiology Spectrum 

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