The antimicrobial peptide Microcin C7 inhibits the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis and improves the perodontal status in a rat model
Aims
This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of the antimicrobial peptide Microcin C7 for Porphyromonas gingivalis-associated diseases.
Methods and results
Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that Microcin C7 could remain 25.5% at 12 hours in saliva. At a concentration of <10 mg mL-1, Microcin C7 showed better cytocompatibility, as revealed by hemolysis test and subchronic systemic toxicity test. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Microcin C7 were analyzed using a broth microdilution method, bacterial growth curve, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser microscopy and determined to be 0.16 mg mL-1 and 5 mg mL-1, respectively. Finally, in a rat model, 5 mg mL-1 Microcin C7 showed better performance in decreasing the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and alveolar bone resorption than other concentrations.
Conclusions
Microcin C7 demonstrated favorable biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory effect, and could decrease the alveolar bone resorption in a rat model, indicating the promising potential for clincal translation and application on P. gingivalis-associated diseases.
