Clinical and Microbiological Evaluation of the Effect of Heat Killed Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Garlic Extract on Candida Albicans in a Group of Elderly Denture Wearers

Abstract

Continuous denture wearing, lack of adequate hygiene and infection with Candida albicans (C. albicans) are among the etiological factors of Denture stomatitis (DS). The management of DS ranges from the implementation of oral hygiene measures and removal of predisposing factors to the use of antifungals, depending on the severity of inflammation. Aim of the study:This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of heat killed lactobacillus acidophilus -Lacteol Fort® (LF)-as a probiotic and garlic extract -Tomex Plus® (TP)-as a prebiotic on salivary C. albicans counts and biofilm-forming ability, in elderly denture wearers with DS.Methods: This was a single-center, single-blind, randomized pilot clinical trial. 27 complete denture wearers were randomly allocated into 3 groups; group I (control), group II (LF) and group III (TP). Each group was clinically assessed for DS and microbiologically evaluated for salivary C. albicans counts at baseline and after 15 days. The biofilm-forming ability of salivary C. albicans was assessed, as well, for each group at the end of the experimental period.Results: Clinical assessment revealed a reduction in the total erythematous area dimension from 3.00 ± 0.40 mm for group II (LF) and from 3.20 ± 0.54 mm for group III (TP) to ≤2 mm for either group after treatment. Microbiological evaluation showed that C. albicans counts and biofilm-forming ability were significantly lowered in groups II (LF) and III (TP). Conclusion:LF and TP were both found to be effective in reducing DS associated inflammation, C. albicans counts and biofilm-forming ability.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies

“…Allicin (diallyl thiosulphonate) was assumed to be the main component among several bioactive compounds responsible for inhibiting fungal growth [ 64 ]. The enzyme alliinase converts alliin into allicin when garlic is cut or crushed [ 65 ]. Allicin is capable of transmembrane movement to combine with sulfur-containing molecular groups in proteins.…”

“…Furthermore, the C. albicans counts were 1.89 ± 0.928 for LF, which was initially 48 ± 3.202 and 3.33 ± 1.14 for GE, which was initially 48.78 ± 2.99, while for control, it was 42 ± 4.272, which was initially 49 ± 3.87. Similarly, C. albicans biofilm-forming activity was 0.26 ± 0.07 and 0.31 ± 0.08 for LF and GE, respectively, whereas for the control, it was 5 ± 0.43 [ 65 ]. A recent in vitro study reported the essential oil of GE was more effective than fluconazole in inhibiting both planktonic cells in vitro and biofilms of different Candida species ( C. albicans , C. glabrata , C. tropicalis and C. krusei ) isolated from dental prostheses while studying the antifungal activities of essential oil of GE and fluconazole against clinical isolates of Candida species [ 71 ].…”