Tea catechin EGCg suppresses the mgl gene associated with halitosis

J Dent Res. 2010 Nov;89(11):1304-8. doi: 10.1177/0022034510378682. Epub 2010 Sep 21.

Abstract

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), the main antimicrobial tea catechin, has been reported to inhibit growth and virulence factors of oral pathogens in vitro. Although the mechanism is unclear, the potential of EGCg in reducing halitosis caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) has been suggested. This study tested the hypothesis that EGCg reduces VSCs by suppressing mgl, the gene encoding L-methionine-α-deamino-γ-mercaptomethane-lyase, responsible for methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) production by oral anaerobes. In this study, the effect of EGCg on in vitro growth, CH₃SH production, and mgl gene expression in P. gingivalis W83 was investigated. EGCg inhibited growth of P. gingivalis W83 (MIC = 97.5 µg/mL) and was bactericidal (MBC = 187.5 µg/mL). At sub-MIC levels, EGCg inhibited CH₃SH production, and mgl mRNA and protein expression (p < 0.05). We conclude that EGCg may represent a natural and alternative agent to the antimicrobial chemicals currently available for halitosis control.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Halitosis / enzymology
  • Halitosis / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis / drug effects*
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis / enzymology
  • RNA, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Sulfur Compounds / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Time Factors
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Sulfur Compounds
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • methylmercaptan
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases
  • L-methionine gamma-lyase