Compounds from Olea europaea and Pistacia lentiscus inhibit oral microbial growth

BACKGROUND: In view of the increasing antibiotic resistance, the introduction of natural anti-infective agents has brought a new era in the treatment of bacterially derived oral diseases. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial potential of five natural constituents of Olea europaea (oleuropein, maslinic acid, hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal, oleacein) and three compounds of Pistacia lentiscus (24Z-isomasticadienolic acid, oleanolic acid, oleanonic aldehyde) against ten representative oral bacterial species and a Candida albicans strain. After the isolation and quality control of natural compounds, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assay were performed. RESULTS: Among all O. europaea-derived constituents, maslinic acid was the most active (MIC = 4.9–312 μg mL(− 1), MBC = 9.8–25 μg mL(− 1)) one against oral streptococci and anaerobic pathogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra), while oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal and oleacein showed milder, yet significant effects against P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. Among all P. lentiscus compounds, oleanolic acid was the most effective one against almost all microorganisms with MIC values ranging from 9.8 μg mL(− 1) (P. gingivalis) to 625 μg mL(− 1) (F. nucleatum, P. micra). In the presence of 24Z-isomasticadienolic acid, a mean inhibitory concentration range of 2.4 μg mL(− 1) to 625 μg mL(− 1) was observed for strict anaerobia. The MIC value for 24Z-isomasticadienolic acid was estimated between 39 μg mL(− 1) (Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus oralis) and 78 μg mL(− 1) (Streptococcus mutans). All tested compounds showed no effects against Prevotella intermedia. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, maslinic acid and oleanolic acid exerted the most significant inhibitory activity against the tested oral pathogens, especially streptococci and anaerobic oral microorganisms.