Inhibition of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Gingipain Activity by Prenylated Flavonoid, Sanggenol A.

Background and objective: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), is an important periodontal pathogen known to possess various virulence factors such as the extracellular gingipain proteases. These play a role in destruction of periodontal tissue. Naturally occurring polyphenols were shown to play a role in preventing bacterial pathogenicity by neutralizing proteolytic enzymes. We sought to examine the role of a prenylated flavonoid, Sanggenol A, on neutralization of Pg gingipain proteolytic activity

Materials and methods: The effect of Sanggenol A on the secreted and cell-associated gingipain activity of Pg was measured using fluorogenic substrates, and the resulting fluorescence was measured by fluorescence reader.

Results: The results revealed an inverse correlation between the concentration of Sanggenol A and both secreted and Pg cell-associated gingipain activity. The activity of R gingipain (Rgp) was found to be significantly more susceptible to Sanggenol A inhibition than the K gingipain (Kgp) (P= 0.03). Bacteria grown in the presence of Sanggenol A also exhibited reduced gingipain proteolytic activity.

Conclusion: We conclude that the natural flavonoid, such as Sanggenol A is effective in neutralizing the proteolytic activity of the periodontal pathogen. The results suggest that this flavonoid may play a useful role in preventing or reducing the periodontal tissue destruction induced by Pg.

Keywords: Sanggenol A; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Gingipains; Protease