Dendritic polyglutamic acid-chelerythrine nanocomplex for the reversal of bacterial tooth decay

Abstract

Caries begins with an imbalance between demineralization and remineralization due to the continuous acid production of cariogenic bacteria. However, the prevention and treatment of caries in a simple and efficient method has always been a challenge for dental materials. To address this issue, therapeutic nanoparticles composed of dendritic polyglutamic acid (DPGlu) and chelerythrine (CHE) complex (DPGlu@CHE) was developed by virtue of hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond. DPGlu@CHE could be adsorbed on the tooth surface, releasing CHE rapidly under acidic conditions to remove cariogenic bacteria, and subsequently inducing tooth surface remineralization in situ. Our results demonstrate that more than 99% of the Streptococcus mutans on the tooth surface could be killed, and 84% of the mechanical properties of tooth was restored within 2 weeks. In vitro and in vivo experiments have proven that DPGlu@CHE is a fast, safe and effective enamel restoration material that is expected to be used as a mouthwash ingredient to maintain dental health.