The Inhibitory Effect of Agastache rugosa Essential Oil on the Dental Biofilm

This study aimed to identify the inhibitory effect of <i>Agastache rugosa</i> essential oil (AREO) on the cariogenic properties of <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>, which causes dental caries and dental plaque formation. After extracting the AREO, their effects on the growth and acid production of <i>S. mutans</i> were examined. Furthermore, <i>S. mutans</i> biofilm formation was observed on the resin teeth surface. The effect on the expression of biofilm-related genes of <i>S. mutans</i> was measured using real-time PCR. AREO components were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS). The growth and acid production of <i>S. mutans</i> were significantly inhibited at concentrations of 0.02 mg/mL or higher of AREO. At 0.04 mg/mL, inhibition was similar to that of the positive control, 0.1% NaF. AREO suppressed the expression of virulence factors such as <i>gtfB</i>, <i>gtfC</i>, <i>gtfD</i>, <i>gbpB</i>, <i>SpaP</i>, <i>brpA</i>, <i>relA</i>, and <i>vicR</i> at concentrations of 0.02 mg/mL or higher. As a result of GC and GC-MS analyses, the main components of AREO included estragole, limonene, and β-caryophyllene. These results suggest that <i>A. rugosa</i> may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of <i>S. mutans</i>.