Theranostic nanoplatforms of emodin-chitosan with blue laser light on enhancing the anti-biofilm activity of photodynamic therapy against Streptococcus mutans biofilms on the enamel surface

Abstract Background Combining photosensitizer and light irradiation, named antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an adjuvant therapy for eliminating microbial biofilms. This ex vivo study evaluates the effect of anti-biofilm activity of aPDT based on emodin-chitosan nanoparticles (Emo-CS-NPs) plus blue laser light against Streptococcus mutans biofilm on the enamel surface. Materials After determination of the fractional inhibitory concentration index of Emo and CS by checkerboard array assay, Emo-CS-NPs were synthesized and characterized. Following treatment of pre-formed S. mutans biofilms on the enamel slabs, cellular uptake of Emo-CS-NPs and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were determined. The anti-biofilm and anti-metabolic activities of aPDT were investigated. Eventually, lactic acid production capacity, concentrations of S. mutans extracellular DNA (eDNA) levels, and expression of the gene involved in the biofilm formation ( gtfB ) were evaluated. Results The maximum uptake of Emo-CS-NPs occurs in an incubation time of 5 min. When irradiated, Emo-CS-NPs were photoactivated, generating ROS, and led to a decrease in the cell viability and metabolic activity of S. mutans significantly ( P < 0.05). S. mutans eDNA and lactic acid production outcomes indicated that Emo-CS-NPs-mediated aPDT led to a significant reduction of eDNA levels (48%) and lactic acid production (72.4%) compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). In addition, gtfB mRNA expression in S. mutans was downregulated (7.8-fold) after aPDT in comparison with the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Our data support that, aPDT using Emo-CS-NPs revealed the highest cellular uptake and ROS generation. Emo-CS-NPs based aPDT could inhibit significantly biofilm formation and reduce effectively virulence potency of S. mutans ; thus, it could be an adjuvant therapy against dental caries.