Interactions of Sanguinarine and Zinc on Oral Streptococci and Actinomyces Species

Abstract

Sanguinaria extract, which contains benzophenanthridine alkaloids, has been used as a folk medicine for many years. Minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC values) for sanguinarine were determined for common and etiologically important plaque bacteria. Because the efficacy of sanguinarine is believed to be enhanced by zinc, isobolograms were assessed to determine their mode(s) of interaction. Hydrogen ion concentration influenced the inhibitory activity of both sanguinarine and zinc. For sanguinarine, at the optimum pH (6.5), MIC values were 4 or 8 µg/ml for Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus,Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii. MIC values were 0.125–0.50 mmol Zn/ml. MBC values ranged from 1 to 8 mmol Zn/ml at pH 5.5. Isobologram data revealed that sanguinarine and zinc interacted synergistically. Viadent® oral rinse, which contained 300 µg sanguinaria extract/ml and 0.2% zinc chloride (14.9 mmol Zn/l), was inhibitory to all strains tested. MIC values were 1 or 2% (ml Viadent oral rinse/100 ml aqueous solution) for all strains except A. viscosus for which the MIC value was 12%(vol/vol).

Sugar Alcohol Sweeteners as Alternatives to Sugar with Special Consideration of Xylitol

“…Numerous examples, in addition to the above xylitol-associated instances, have been published. Sanguinarine and Zn(II) exhibited synergism in their effects on oral streptococci and Actinomyces species [108] . Sanguinarine (pseudochelerythrine) can be derived from Sanguinaria canadensis and other Papaveracea species.…”

Studies with sanguinarine like alkaloids as feed additive in broiler diets

“…Natural compounds extracted from plants, such as quaternary benzo [c]phenanthridine alkaloids (QBA) sanguinarine and chelerythrine, are known to have antimicrobial (Eisenberg et al, 1991;Mewton et al, 2002;Colombo & Bosisio, 1996), anti-inflammatory (Lenfeld et al, 1981;Tanaka et al, 1993), and immunomodulatory (Agarwal et al, 1991;Chaturvedi et al, 1997) effects. Sanguinarine has been incorporated into swine, bovine, and poultry diets to reduce amino acid degradation, increase feed intake, and promote growth (Tschirner, 2004;Susenberth & Wolffran, 2003).…”

In Vitro Leishmanicidal Activity of Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids from Bocconia pearcei and Related Compounds

“…In some countries, a toothpaste containing sanguinarine is commercially available because sanguinarine inhibits dental plaque and improves gingival health. 24,25) However, it has been generally difficult to use benzophenanthridine alkaloids as medical products because of their strong toxicity. Although they may be difficult to apply in oral or injectable form, application as an ointment for cutaneous leishmanisis might be a breakthrough for this problem.…”