The Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad discussed the PhD dissertation of Marah Laith Mohammed Hassan, titled:
“Molecular Diagnosis and Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effects of Licorice and Clove Extracts on Mutant Streptococci through Gene Expression” under the supervision of Professor Dr. Kamil Mutashar Al-Jubouri.
the study aimed to isolate and diagnose mutant streptococci (Streptococcus mutans). Evaluate the effects of licorice and clove extracts, individually and in combination, on the characteristics of S. mutans, which is responsible for dental caries. Investigate the impact of these extracts on the expression of the genes gtfB and gtfD, which are involved in the formation of bacterial biofilms in dental caries, and compare their effects to toothpaste and chlorhexidine.
All samples were examined for the presence of S. mutans using various culture media and morphological and biochemical tests. Further processing included molecular characterization, where bacterial DNA was isolated and diagnosed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primer pairs for the genes 16S rRNA and gtfB. Antibiotic resistance of S. mutans was assessed using the disk diffusion method.
The study recommended that methanolic extracts of licorice and clove, as well as their combination, exhibit antibacterial effects against S. mutans, which is commonly found in the oral cavity. Therefore, these natural extracts are promising anti-caries agents and could be incorporated into toothpaste and mouthwash formulations.
