The effect of Citrullus colocynthis extracts on Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, normal gingival fibroblast and breast cancer cells

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Citrullus colocynthis extracts on the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans and their cytotoxic effects on normal gingival fibroblast cells and breast cancer cells. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of C. colocynthis fruit were evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBCs)/minimal fungicidal concentration (MFCs) tests. The MICs and MBCs/MFCs were obtained from the aqueous extract (MIC 0.37 mg/mL and MBCs 1.5 mg/mL against S. mutans and MIC 0.37 mg/mL and MFCs 3.0 mg/mL against C. albicans) and ethanolic extract (MIC 0.75 mg/mL and MBCs 1.5 mg/mL against S. mutans and MIC 3.0 mg/mL and MFCs 12.0 mg/mL against C. albicans). The growth of S. mutans and C. albicans were effectively inhibited by extracts of C. colocynthis. The LC50 values of C. colocynthis on HGF1-PI cells were 4589.19 μg/mL and 3933.84 μg/mL by aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. The LC50 values of C. colocynthis on MCF-7 cells were 4589.19 μg/mL and 3933.84 μg/mL by aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. The extracts of C. colocynthis significantly decreased the growth of breast cancer and normal gingival fibroblast cells. The results of the study showed that the extracts may be used to treat oral mucosal diseases and prevent dental caries but future research is needed.