Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Inhibition ofStreptococcus mutans and Other Oral streptococci by hop (Humulus lupulus L.) constituents

  • Research
  • Published:
Economic Botany Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report the inhibition of the causative agents of dental caries, Streptococcus mutans and other oral streptococci, by the antimicrobially active ingredients of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.). The hop constituents studied were purified beta acid, xanthohumol, isoalpha acid and tetra iso-alpha acid. Cruder hop extracts were also investigated. The antimicrobial activity of these hop constituents was tested against four strainsof Streptococcus mutans as well as one strain each ofStreptococcus sanguis andStreptococcus salivarius and compared to antimicrobial essential oils used in mouthwashes in two independent assay systems. We found that all tested hop constituents inhibited the Streptococci. The minimum inhibitory concentration at pH 7.5 ranged from 2 to 50 μg/ml depending on the microorganism and hop phytochemical tested. Contrary to a previous report, there was no activity enhancement by ascorbic acid over and above the enhancement due to pH lowering. Thére was no resistance development to beta acid after 10 passages in a subinhibitory concentration of this acid. Antimicrobial activity of hop constituents was found to be greater than other plant products such as thymol, nerol, cinnamon oil, oil of clove, menthol and eucalyptol. The possibilities of using hop constituents in mouthwashes are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Almas, K. 1999. The antimicrobial effects of extracts ofAzadirachta indica (Neem) andSalvadora persica (Arak) chewing sticks. Indian Journal of Dental Research 10(1):23–26.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, A. A., and H. D. Michner. 1949. Protection of lupulone and humulone by ascorbic acid. Science 110: 68–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barney, M. C., E. J. Kot, E. Chicoye, and J. K Jilek. 1994. Oral care composition containing hop acids and method. United States Patent 5, 370, 863.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, L., and C. D. Wu. 1996. Compounds fromSyzgium aromaticum possessing growth inhibitory activity against oral pathogens. Journal of Natural Products 59(10):987–990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carson, C. F., K. A. Hammer, and T. V. Riley. 1995. Broth microdilution method for determining the susceptibility ofEscherichia coli andStaphylococcus aureus to the essential oils ofMelaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil). Microbios 82:181–185.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P., C. C. Lin, and T. Namba.1989. Screening of Taiwanese crude drugs for antibacterial activity againstStreptococcus mutans.Journal of Ethnopharmacology 27(3):285–295.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, A. 1998. Antimicrobial resistance-danger signs all around. Tennessee Medicine 91(11):433–435.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Didry, N., L. Dubreuil, and M. Pinkas. 1994. Activity of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on oral bacteria. Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetica 69:25–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fine, D. H., D. Furgang, M. L. Barnett, C. Drew, L. Steinberg, C. H. Charles, and J. W. Vincent. 2000. Effect of and essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse on plaque and salivaryStreptococcus mutans levels. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 27:157–167.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gouin, F. 1958. Die Hopfenbitterstoffe als Antibiotika. Brauwissenschaft 11:230–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haas, G. J. 1976. Oral preparations for reducing the incidence of dental caries. United States Patent 3, 932, 603.

    Google Scholar 

  • —,and R. Barsumian. 1994. Antimicrobial activity of hop resins. Journal of Food Protection 57(1):59–61.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamada, S., and H. D. Slade. 1980. Biology, immunology and carcinogenicity ofStreptococcus mutans. Microbiological Review 44:331–384.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanada, N. 2000. Current understanding of the cause of dental caries. Japanese Journal of Infectious Disease 53(1):1–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassell, T. M., and E. L. Harris. 1995. Genetic influences in caries and periodontal diseases. Critical Review of Oral Biology and Medicine 6(4):319–342.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hough, J. S., and G. A. Howard. 1957. Bacteriostatic activities of hop resin materials. Brewing Industry Research Foundation 63:331–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jagtap, A. G., and S. G. Karkera. 2000. Extract ofJuglandaceae regia inhibits growth,in vitro adherence, acid production and aggregation ofStreptococcus mutans. Journal of Pharmaceticals and Pharmocology 52(2):235–242.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • —,and—. 1999. Potential of the aqueous extract ofTerminalia chebula as an anticaries agent. Journal of Ethnopharmocology 68(1-3): 299–306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvinen, H., J. Tenevou, and P. Huovinen. 1993. Susceptibility ofStreptoccous mutans to chlorhexidine and six other antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 37:1158–1159.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koo, H., B. P. Gomes, P. L. Rosalen, G. M. Ambrosano, Y. K. Park, and J. A. Cury. 2000.In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis andArnica montana against oral pathogens. Archives of Oral Biology 45(2): 141–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kubo, I. 1992. Tea fights cavities. 133rd Meeting of the American Chemical Society. San Francisco, CA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • —,M. Himejima, and H. Muroi. 1992. Antimicrobial activity of green flavor tea compounds and their combination effects. Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry 40:245–248.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurby, W. W. W. M., J. C. Sherris, and M. Iurck. 1966. Antibiotic susceptibility testing by a standardized single disc assay method. American Journal of Clinical Pathology 45:493–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Losche, W. J. 1985. Role ofStreptococcus mutans in human dental decay. Microbiological Review 50: 245–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, M., T. Minami, H. Sasaki, S. Sobue, S. Hamada, and T. Ooshima. 1999. Inhibitory effects of oolong tea extract on caries-inducing properties ofmutans streptococci. Caries Research 33(6):441–446.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, T. D., A. E. Beezer, J. C. Mitchell, and A. W. Bunch. 2001. A microcalorimetric comparison of the anti-Streptococcus mutans efficacy of plant exteracts and antimicrobial agents in oral hygiene formulations. Journal of Applied Microbiology 90(1):53–58.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murio, H., and I. Kubo. 1993. Combination effects of antimicrobial compounds in green tea flavor againstStreptococcus mutans. Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry 41:1102–1105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ooshima, T., Y. Osaka, H. Sasaki, K. Osawa, H. Yasuda, and M. Matsumoto. 2000. Cariostatic activity of cacao mass extract. Archives of Oral Biology 45(9):805–808.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pader, M. 1987. Oral hygiene products and practice. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York. p. 48–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, Y. K., M. H. Koo, J. A. Abreu, M. Ikegaki, J. A. Curry, and P. L. Rosalen. 1998. Antimicrobial activity of propolis on oral microorganisms. Current Microbiology 36(1):24–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sato, M., S. Fujiwara, H. Tsuchiya, T. Fujii, M. Iinuma, H. Tosa, Y. Ohkawa. 1996. Flavones with antibacterial activity against cariogenic bacteria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 54(2-3):171–176.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmalreck, A. F., M. Teuber, W. Reininger, and A. Hartl. 1975. Structural features determining antibiotic potencies of natural and synthetic hop bitter resins, their precursors and derivatives. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 21:205–212.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shouji, N., K. Takada, K. Fukushima, and M. Hirasawa. 2000. Anticaries effect of a component from shiitake (an edible mushroom). Caries Research 34(1):94–98.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, W. J. 1993. Ionophoric action of trans-isohumulone onLactobacillus brevis. The Journal of General Microbiology 139:1041–1045.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • —,and A. R. W. Smith. 1992. Factors affecting antimicrobial activity of hop compounds and their derivatives. The Journal of Applied Bacteriology 72(4):327–334.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, J. F., M. Ivancic, V. L. Hsu, and M. L. Deinzer. 1997. Preflavanoids fromHumulus lupulus. Phytochemistry 44(8): 1575–1585.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, R. 1987. The chemistry of hop constituents. An introduction Brewing Science and Technology. The Institute of Brewing London, England. Series II. 1:23–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taiwo, O., H. X. Xu, and S. F. Lee. 1999. Antibacterial activity of extracts from Nigerian chewing sticks. Phytotherapy Research 13(8):675–679.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teuber, M. 1970. Low antibiotic potency of isohumulone. Applied Microbiology 19:871.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wongkham, S., P. Laupattarakasaem, K. Pienthaweechai, P. Areejitanusorn, C. Wongkham, and T. Techanitiswad. 2001. Antimicrobial activity ofStreblus asper leaf extract. Phytotherapy Research 15(2):119–121.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, 07666, Teaneck, NJ

    Sanchita Bhattacharya, Salima Virani, Mashenka Zavro & Gerhard J. Haas

Authors
  1. Sanchita Bhattacharya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Salima Virani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mashenka Zavro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gerhard J. Haas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerhard J. Haas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bhattacharya, S., Virani, S., Zavro, M. et al. Inhibition ofStreptococcus mutans and Other Oral streptococci by hop (Humulus lupulus L.) constituents. Econ Bot 57, 118–125 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2003)057[0118:IOSMAO]2.0.CO;2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2003)057[0118:IOSMAO]2.0.CO;2

Key Words

Search

Navigation