Antioxidative components and anti-oralmicrobial effect of bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf) leaves

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative components and anti-oralmicrobial effect of bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf) leaves. The moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents were 6.30%, 5.10%, 1.73%, 10.61%, and 76.26%, respectively. Vitamin C content was higher than Vitamin A and E contents. Among organic acids, citric acid content was the most abundant organic acid, followed by succinic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, and formic acid. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 21.66 mg/g and 42.78 mg/g, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of extracts of bamboo leaves for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were determined to be 0.04% and 0.16%, respectively. MICs of extracts of bamboo leaves for Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia were determined to be 0.02%. Extract of bamboo leaves had strong antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, S. sobrinus, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia at a concentration of 0.32%. At this concentration, extract of bamboo leaves inhibited growth of these pathogenic bacteria up to 60 h. The results of the present study demonstrate the antimicrobial effects of bamboo leaves ethanol extract against oral pathogenic bacteria, suggesting that bamboo leaves could be an effective natural agent for oral hygiene.