Journal of Research in Dental
and Maxillofacial Sciences
Volume 11, Issue 3 (9-2026)
J Res Dent Maxillofac Sci 2026, 11(3): 174-184 |
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Gadiock K S, Kannan K P, Girija A, Priyadharsini J V. Assessment of vicK Gene Expression by the Clinical Isolates of Streptococcus mutans Treated with Acetaminophen. J Res Dent Maxillofac Sci 2026; 11 (3) :174-184
URL: http://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/article-1-874-en.html
URL: http://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/article-1-874-en.html
Karanveer Singh Gadiock1 
, Kannika Parameshwari Kannan1 , A.S.Smiline Girija *2 , Vijayashree Priyadharsini J1
, Kannika Parameshwari Kannan1 , A.S.Smiline Girija *2 , Vijayashree Priyadharsini J1
1- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai
2- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai ,smilinejames25@gmail.com
2- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai ,
Abstract: (15 Views)
Background and Aim: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a primary pathogen in dental caries, forms biofilm and is increasingly resistant to antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of acetaminophen on S. mutans clinical isolates and its impact on vicK gene expression.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, S. mutans was isolated from dental carious lesions of 43 patients, characterized, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Acetaminophen's antibacterial activity was evaluated through agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and biofilm inhibition assays. vicK gene expression was quantified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed using Student's t-test (alpha=0.05).
Results: S. mutans was isolated from 53.49% of patients, with 17.39% exhibiting multidrug resistance. Acetaminophen showed significant antimicrobial activity with a zone of inhibition of 21 ± 1.52 mm, and MIC and MBC values of 250 µg/mL and 300 µg/mL, respectively. Acetaminophen inhibited biofilm formation and reduced vicK gene expression (fold change 0.668 vs. 1.018 in controls, P<0.05).
Conclusion: Acetaminophen demonstrated significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects on S. mutans, along with a notable down-regulation of the vicK gene, which is crucial for biofilm formation. These findings suggest that acetaminophen could be repurposed as a potential therapeutic agent for managing oral infections, particularly those caused by resistant S. mutans strains. Further clinical trials are warranted to explore its efficacy and safety in vivo.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, S. mutans was isolated from dental carious lesions of 43 patients, characterized, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Acetaminophen's antibacterial activity was evaluated through agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and biofilm inhibition assays. vicK gene expression was quantified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed using Student's t-test (alpha=0.05).
Results: S. mutans was isolated from 53.49% of patients, with 17.39% exhibiting multidrug resistance. Acetaminophen showed significant antimicrobial activity with a zone of inhibition of 21 ± 1.52 mm, and MIC and MBC values of 250 µg/mL and 300 µg/mL, respectively. Acetaminophen inhibited biofilm formation and reduced vicK gene expression (fold change 0.668 vs. 1.018 in controls, P<0.05).
Conclusion: Acetaminophen demonstrated significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects on S. mutans, along with a notable down-regulation of the vicK gene, which is crucial for biofilm formation. These findings suggest that acetaminophen could be repurposed as a potential therapeutic agent for managing oral infections, particularly those caused by resistant S. mutans strains. Further clinical trials are warranted to explore its efficacy and safety in vivo.
Type of Study: Original article |
Subject:
Oral medicine
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