Proteases, actinidin, papain and trypsin reduce oral biofilm on the tongue in elderly subjects and in vitro

- Tablets containing cysteine protease, actinidin, removed the tongue coating.
- Oral Actinomyces biofilm was reduced by papain, actinidin and trypsin.
- Papain and trypsin effectively digested the main Actinomyces fimbrial proteins, FimP and FimA.
- Actinidin, papain and trypsin reduced multispecies biofilm in vitro.
- Papain and trypsin inhibited multispecies biofilm formation in vitro.

ObjectiveDental plaque is a causative factor for oral disease and a potential reservoir for respiratory infection in the elderly. Therefore, there is a critical need for the development of effective methods to remove oral biofilm. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of proteases on oral biofilm formation andremoval.DesignThe in vivo effect of actinidin, a cysteine protease, on the removal of tongue coating was assessed after orally taking a protease tablet. Effects of the proteases trypsin, papain and actinidin on Actinomyces monospecies biofilm and multispecies biofilm that was reconstructed using a plaque sample from the tongue coating were investigated using the microtiter plate method. Antimicrobial tests and limited proteolysis of fimbrial shaft proteins were also performed to clarify underlying mechanisms of oral biofilm removal.ResultsTablets containing actinidin removed tongue coating in elderly subjects. Oral Actinomyces biofilm was significantly reduced by the proteases papain, actinidin and trypsin. Papain and trypsin effectively digested the major fimbrial proteins, FimP and FimA, from Actinomyces. Actinidin, papain and trypsin reduced multispecies biofilm that was reconstructed in vitro. Papain and trypsin inhibited formation of multispecies biofilm in vitro.ConclusionsThis study shows that proteases reduced oral biofilm in vivo in elderly subjects and in vitro, and suggests that protease digests fimbriae and inhibits biofilm formation.