Dental News - Dried licorice root fights oral bacteria

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 9 January 2012

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WASHINGTON, D.C., USA: Scientists from the American Chemical Society and the American Society of Pharmacognosy have identified two substances in licorice that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. The researchers suggest that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Dr. Stefan Gafner and colleagues explained that the dried root of the licorice plant is a common ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine, especially as an enhancement to the activity of other herbal ingredients or as a flavoring. In the U.S., licorice root has been replaced in candy with anise oil, which has a similar flavor. Traditional medical practitioners use dried licorice root to treat various ailments, such as respiratory and digestive problems. However, only a few modern scientific studies address whether licorice really works.

To test whether the sweet root could combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities, the researchers investigated the various substances in licorice. They found that two of its compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, were the most effective antibacterial substances. These substances killed cariogenic species S. mutans and S. sobrinus, as well as the periodontopathogenic species P. gingivalis and P. intermedia. Licoricidin also killed F. nucleatum.

The study was published in the ACS's Journal of Natural Products.

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