Development of a Novel Peptide with Antimicrobial and Mineralising Properties for Caries Management

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to develop a novel peptide for caries management. Gallic-Acid-Polyphemusin-I (GAPI) was synthesised by grafting Polyphemusin I (PI) and gallic acid (GA). Biocompatibility was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 Assay. Antimicrobial properties were assessed using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC). The bacterial and fungal morphology after GAPI treatment was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The architecture of a consortium biofilm consisting of <i>Streptococcus mutans, Lacticaseibacillus casei</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i> was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The growth kinetics of the biofilm was examined using a propidium monoazide-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The surface and calcium-to-phosphorus molar ratio of GAPI-treated enamel after pH cycling were examined with SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Enamel crystal characteristics were analysed using X-ray diffraction. Lesion depths representing the enamel's mineral loss were assessed using micro-computed tomography. The MIC of GAPI against <i>S. mutans</i>, <i>L. casei</i> and <i>C. albicans</i> were 40 μM, 40 μM and 20 μM, respectively. GAPI destroyed the biofilm's three-dimensional structure and inhibited the growth of the biofilm. SEM showed that enamel treated with GAPI had a relatively smooth surface compared to that treated with water. The calcium-to-phosphorus molar ratio of enamel treated with GAPI was higher than that of the control. The lesion depths and mineral loss of the GAPI-treated enamel were less than the control. The crystallinity of the GAPI-treated enamel was higher than the control. This study developed a biocompatible, mineralising and antimicrobial peptide GAPI, which may have potential as an anti-caries agent.