The antimicrobial peptide Microcin C7 inhibits the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis and improves the perodontal status in a rat model.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of the antimicrobial peptide Microcin C7 for Porphyromonas gingivalis-associated diseases.

Methods and results: Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that Microcin C7 could remain 25.5% at 12 h in saliva. At a concentration of <10 mg ml-1, Microcin C7 showed better cytocompatibility, as revealed by a hemolysis test and a subchronic systemic toxicity test. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Microcin C7 were analyzed using a broth microdilution method, bacterial growth curve, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser microscopy and determined to be 0.16 and 5 mg ml-1, respectively. Finally, in a rat model, 5 mg ml-1 Microcin C7 showed better performance in decreasing the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and alveolar bone resorption than other concentrations.

Conclusions: Microcin C7 demonstrated favorable biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and anti-inflammatory effect, and could decrease the alveolar bone resorption in a rat model, indicating the promising potential for clinical translation and application on P. gingivalis-associated diseases.