JP2023091842A - oral composition - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an oral composition having an enhanced effect of improving intraoral flora balance.SOLUTION: An oral composition for improving intraoral flora balance in an oral cavity contains a plant extract composed of berberine, and arginine.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

The present invention relates to oral compositions.

Among oral bacteria, Streptococcus oralis (hereinafter also referred to as S.oralis) is known as a kind of non-pathogenic bacteria. S.oralis belongs to the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus. Other strains belonging to the mitis group are also classified as non-pathogenic bacteria like S.oralis.

Patent Document 1 discloses an oral composition that selectively suppresses the growth of pathogenic bacteria without affecting the growth of bacterial species belonging to the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus. Thus, an oral composition is disclosed that has selective antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. As described in Patent Document 1, increasing the ratio of non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral bacterial flora to improve the oral bacterial flora balance is useful for preventing and suppressing the progress of oral diseases. It has been known.

JP 2016-113460 A

By the way, oral compositions are required to further improve the performance of the effect of improving the balance of bacterial flora.

An oral composition for solving the above-mentioned problems contains a plant extract containing berberine as a component and arginine, and is intended for improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity.
The oral composition preferably further contains lactose.

The above-mentioned composition for oral cavity is suitable for the growth of bacterial species belonging to the pathogenic bacteria among bacterial species belonging to pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and bacterial species belonging to the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus, which are non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. It is preferable to increase the abundance of bacterial species belonging to the mitis group by selectively suppressing .

In the oral cavity composition, the plant extract is preferably at least one selected from Phellodendron bark extract and Coptis japonica extract.

According to the composition for oral cavity of the present invention, the effect of improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity can be enhanced.

An embodiment of the composition for oral cavity is described below.
The oral cavity composition of the present embodiment contains a plant extract containing berberine as a component and arginine. The oral composition is used for improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity.

<Plant extract>
The plant extract contained in the composition for oral cavity will be explained. A plant extract is an extract of a plant containing berberine. A method for extracting the plant extract is not particularly limited, and a known method can be appropriately employed. The plant extract may contain berberine as a component, and other components are not particularly limited.

Plants containing berberine are not particularly limited, but include, for example, yellowfin tuna belonging to the genus Amurensis of the family Rutaceae, and coptis of the genus Coptis of the family Ranunculaceae. That is, specific examples of plant extracts include Phellodendron bark extract, coptis extract and the like.

The oral composition may contain one type of plant extract, or may contain two or more types of plant extracts in combination.
The content of the plant extract in the oral cavity composition is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.02% by mass or more and 0.20% by mass or less. Hereinafter, the content of each component in the oral cavity composition is expressed by abbreviating "mass %" to "%". The upper limit of the content of the plant extract is preferably 0.10%, more preferably 0.05%. The lower limit of the content of the plant extract is preferably 0.022%, more preferably 0.025%.

When the content of the plant extract is within the above numerical range and the content of arginine is within the numerical range described later, the effect of improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity can be further enhanced.

The content of berberine in the oral composition is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.002 or more and 0.020 or less. The upper limit of the content is preferably 0.015%, more preferably 0.010%. The lower limit of the content is preferably 0.003%, more preferably 0.006%.

<Arginine>
The oral composition contains arginine, which is a type of amino acid. Specific examples of arginine include, but are not particularly limited to, L-arginine, dihydroxypropylarginine and the like. These arginines may be salts, such as hydrochlorides.

The oral composition may contain one or more other amino acids in combination in addition to arginine.
The content of arginine in the oral composition is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.5% or more and 1.5% or less. The upper limit of the content is preferably 1.25%, more preferably 1.0%. The lower limit of the content is preferably 0.75%, more preferably 1.0%.

<sugar>
The oral composition preferably contains sugar. The type of sugar is not particularly limited, and examples include monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides or higher oligosaccharides, and sugar alcohols.

Monosaccharides include, for example, galactose, mannose, arabinose, and hydrates thereof.
Disaccharides include, for example, maltose, sucrose, lactose, and hydrates thereof.

Oligosaccharides include, for example, raffinose, galacto-oligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides, milk oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, gentio-oligosaccharides, malto-oligosaccharides, cyclic oligosaccharides, milk oligosaccharides, and hydrates thereof.

Sugar alcohols include, for example, those obtained by industrially reducing the above monosaccharides, disaccharides, or oligosaccharides, such as sorbitol, lactitol, and reduced isomaltulose (Palatinit (registered trademark)). , threitol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, arabitol, ribitol, mannitol, threitol, glytol, talitol, gaalitol, altritol, dolcitol, iditol, inositol, maltitol, isomaltitol, lactitol, and turanitol. be done.

The composition for oral cavity may contain only one type of the above sugars alone, or may contain two or more types in combination. In addition, it is particularly preferable that the composition for oral cavity contains lactose as sugar.

The sugar content in the oral composition is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1.0% or more and 4.0% or less. The upper limit of the content is preferably 3.0%, more preferably 2.0%. The lower limit of the content is preferably 1.5%, more preferably 2.0%. When the sugar content is within the above numerical range, the effect of improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity can be further enhanced.

<Applicable form, use, and dosage form>
The application form of the oral composition is not particularly limited, and for example, it can be used as a pharmaceutical, quasi-drug, or cosmetic. As the use of the composition for oral cavity, a known one can be appropriately adopted. For example, chewing agents, oral dissolving agents, oral disintegrating agents, tongue care agents, mouth fresheners, toothpastes, mouthwashes, rinse agents, liquid dentifrices, biofilm dispersants, halitosis prevention agents, gum massagers agent, moisturizing agent for oral cavity, remover of tongue coating, intraoral coating agent, oral disinfectant, throat disinfectant, oral and throat agent, periodontal disease treatment agent, denture attachment agent, denture coating agent, denture stabilizer, denture preservation Uses include agents, denture cleansers, implant care agents, and the like.

The dosage form of the oral composition is not particularly limited. It can be applied to agents and the like.

The type of water used as the solvent is not particularly limited, and for example, distilled water, pure water, ultrapure water, purified water, tap water and the like can be used. The type of alcohol used as the solvent is not particularly limited, and ethanol can be used, for example. A mixture of water and alcohol can also be used.

When the oral composition is liquid, the content of the solvent such as water is not particularly limited, but is preferably 60% by mass or more and 99.8% by mass or less, and more preferably 70% by mass or more and 90% by mass. % or less.

<Other ingredients>
The oral composition may contain other components than those mentioned above, depending on the application purpose, form, use, and the like. Other ingredients include, for example, antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, fragrances, humectants, abrasives, alcohols, thickeners, sweeteners, medicinal ingredients, colorants, stabilizers, and pH adjusters. As other ingredients, known ingredients that are blended in oral compositions can be used. The composition for oral cavity may contain only one type of each of the other components described above, or may contain two or more types in combination.

Antibacterial agents include, for example, cetylpyridinium chloride, paraben, sodium benzoate, triclosan, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, isopropylmethylphenol, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and hinokitiol.

Anti-inflammatory agents include, for example, glycyrrhizinate, tranexamic acid, ε-aminocaproic acid.
In addition, it is not preferable that the composition for oral cavity contains a component that exerts a non-selective action that can kill not only pathogenic bacteria but also non-pathogenic bacteria. Even if such components are contained in the oral composition, the content should be extremely small so that the effect on the selective antibacterial action in the oral composition is small. preferable.

Perfumes include, for example, anethole, eugenol, carvone, wintergreen, methyl salicylate, thymol, clove oil, sage oil, ocimene oil, citronellol.

Examples of abrasives include calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, silica, zeolite, sodium metaphosphate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium pyrophosphate, red iron oxide, calcium sulfate, anhydrous Silicic acid is mentioned.

Examples of alcohols include ethyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol and the like.
Thickeners include, for example, sodium polyacrylate, carrageenan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, and propylene glycol alginate.

Examples of medicinal ingredients include fluorides such as sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, and strontium fluoride, condensed phosphates such as sodium pyrophosphate and sodium polyphosphate, and sodium monohydrogen phosphate. , phosphates such as trisodium phosphate, vitamins such as ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, tocopherol acetate, glucanase enzymes such as dextranase and mutanase, degrading enzymes such as protease and lysozyme, zinc chloride, Inorganic salts such as zinc citrate, strontium chloride and potassium nitrate, chelating compounds such as chlorophyll and glycerophosphate, polyethylene glycol that dissolves fat, sodium chloride, aluminum lactate and strontium chloride.

Examples of the coloring agent include legal dyes such as Green No. 1, Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 4, and titanium oxide.
Stabilizers include, for example, sodium edetate, sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite, calcium lactate, lanolin, triacetin, castor oil, magnesium sulfate and the like.

Examples of pH adjusters include citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, various salts thereof such as potassium salts, sodium salts and ammonium salts, sodium hydroxide, and the like. mentioned. It is preferable that the oral cavity composition is adjusted to have a pH in the range of 4 or more and 9 or less, particularly 5 or more and 7 or less by blending a pH adjuster.

<Action and effect>
The operation of this embodiment will be described.
The effect of improving the intraoral bacterial flora balance by the oral composition is exhibited by its selective antibacterial action against pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. For example, the oral composition selectively inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria among bacterial species belonging to pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and bacterial species belonging to the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus, which are non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. Suppress. Thereby, the composition for oral cavity increases the abundance ratio of bacterial strains belonging to the mitis group.

By selectively promoting the growth of S.oralis, the oral cavity composition can also increase the abundance of fungal species belonging to the mitis group. That is, the oral composition can also improve the balance of the oral flora by selectively suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria while promoting the growth of S.oralis.

Pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity include caries pathogens, periodontal pathogens, and the like. An example of a dental caries pathogen is Streptococcus mutans belonging to the mutans group of the genus Streptococcus. Examples of periodontal pathogens include Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. In the following, Streptococcus mutans is abbreviated as S.mutans. Porphyromonas gingivalis is abbreviated as P.gingivalis. Fusobacterium nucleatum is abbreviated as F.nucleatum.

S.oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus mitis and the like are included in the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus, which are non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. In the following, Streptococcus sanguinis is abbreviated as S.sanguinis. Streptococcus gordonii is abbreviated as S.gordonii. Streptococcus mitis is abbreviated as S.mitis.

The oral composition can, for example, inhibit the growth of S.mutans. The oral composition can also inhibit the growth of P.gingivalis. The oral composition can also inhibit the growth of F.nucleatum.

The oral composition can, for example, increase the prevalence of S.oralis. The oral composition can also increase the prevalence of S.sanguinis. The oral composition can also increase the prevalence of S.gordonii. The oral composition can also increase the prevalence of S.mitis.

Effects of the present embodiment will be described.
(1) The oral composition contains a plant extract containing berberine as a component and arginine. As a result, the oral composition has a selective antibacterial action against pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. The composition for oral cavity can suitably increase, for example, the abundance ratio of bacterial species belonging to the mitis group in the oral flora. The composition for oral cavity can suitably improve the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity by suitably increasing the abundance ratio of bacterial species belonging to the mitis group. In other words, the composition for oral cavity can improve the effect of improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity.

(2) The oral composition further containing lactose can selectively promote the growth of S.oralis. That is, the composition for oral cavity selectively inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria and promotes the growth of S.oralis, thereby increasing the abundance of bacterial strains belonging to the mitis group. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the effect of improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity.

(3) According to the oral cavity composition containing at least one selected from Phellodendron bark extract and Coptis japonica extract as the berberine-containing plant extract, the effect of selectively suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria can be suitably obtained.

(4) According to the composition for the oral cavity that adjusts the balance of the oral bacterial flora to improve the oral bacterial flora, effects such as prevention of oral diseases and inhibition of progression of oral diseases can be obtained. Specifically, effects such as caries prevention, caries progression inhibition, periodontal disease prevention, and periodontal disease progression inhibition can be obtained.

The oral composition will be described in more detail based on the following examples. In addition, the composition for oral cavity is not limited to the structure as described in the Example column.
<Culture solution>
A culture solution was prepared by culturing each bacterial species in a medium suitable for each species. The strains used are as follows. S.oralis, S.sanguinis, and S.gordonii were used as non-pathogenic bacteria. S.mutans, P.gingivalis, and F.nucleatum were used as pathogenic bacteria. BHI medium was used as the medium for strains belonging to the genus Streptococcus, that is, S.oralis, S.sanguinis, S.gordonii, and S.mutans. A modified GAM medium was used as the medium for P.gingivalis. GAM medium was used as the medium for F.nucleatum.

(Test 1)
Tables 1 and 2 are used to explain the antibacterial effect test.

表１に示す比較例１～３、及び、実施例１及び２のサンプル溶液を調製した。表１における「○」は、当該成分を含有していることを意味する。表１における「－」は、当該成分を含有していないことを意味する。比較例１～３、及び、実施例１及び２における各成分の含有量は、以下の通りである。オウバクエキスの含有量は、０．０２５％である。アルギニンの含有量は、１％である。ラクトースの含有量は、２％である。各サンプル溶液の残部は、蒸留水である。

Sample solutions of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2 shown in Table 1 were prepared. "○" in Table 1 means that the component is contained. "-" in Table 1 means that the component is not contained. The contents of each component in Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2 are as follows. The content of Phellodendron bark extract is 0.025%. The content of arginine is 1%. The lactose content is 2%. The balance of each sample solution is distilled water.

<Preparation of bacterial solution>
A bacterial solution used in Test 1 was prepared. First, a double concentration medium was prepared. Next, the turbidity of the culture solution was measured at a wavelength of 660 nm. The culture solution was diluted with a double-concentration medium so that the turbidity became 0.1 to obtain a bacterial solution. Using culture solutions of S.oralis, S.mutans, P.gingivalis, and F.nucleatum, bacterial solutions of each strain were prepared.

<Test method for antibacterial effect test>
100 μl of the bacterial solution and 100 μl of the sample solution were added to wells of a 96-well plate and cultured at 37° C. under anaerobic conditions for 24 hours. As a control, 100 µl of water was added in place of the sample solution and cultured in the same manner. After culturing, turbidity at a wavelength of 660 nm was measured.

Based on the measured turbidity, the relative activity of each bacterial species was calculated as a relative value with the turbidity of the control set to 1.00. That is, the relative activity is a value that indicates that the growth of the fungal species is promoted as the relative activity is greater than 1.00. On the other hand, when the relative activity is less than 1.00, it indicates that the growth of the fungal species is suppressed.

<Results of antibacterial effect test>
The calculated relative activity was evaluated according to the following criteria. Those results are shown in Table 2.
·Evaluation criteria for relative activity in antibacterial effect test ◎: Relative activity is 1.30 or more. The growth of fungal species is promoted.
○: Relative activity is 0.90 or more and less than 1.30. Bacterial species are grown.
Δ: The relative activity is 0.50 or more and less than 0.90. The growth of fungal species is suppressed to some extent.
x: Relative activity is less than 0.50. The growth of fungal species is suppressed.

表２において、Ｓｏ、Ｓｍ、Ｐｇ、Ｆｎは、それぞれ、S.oralis、S.mutans、P.gingivalis、F.nucleatumを意味する。以下では、各菌種を同様に略記することがある。

In Table 2, So, Sm, Pg and Fn mean S.oralis, S.mutans, P.gingivalis and F.nucleatum, respectively. Below, each strain may be abbreviated similarly.

In Example 1, while the growth of Sm, Pg and Fn was suppressed, the growth of So was not suppressed and was grown to some extent. From comparison with the results of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, such a selective antibacterial action is the effect obtained by Example 1 containing Phellodendron bark extract, which is an example of a plant extract containing berberine as a component, and arginine. It can be seen that it is.

In Example 2, growth of Sm, Pg, and Fn was suppressed. Furthermore, the growth of So was promoted. Such selective antibacterial and growth-promoting effects were confirmed by comparison with the results of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, in addition to the plant extract containing berberine as a component and arginine, Example 2 further containing lactose. It can be seen that this is the effect obtained.

According to Examples 1 and 2, the growth of pathogenic bacteria among bacterial species belonging to the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus, which are pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity, can be selectively suppressed. Recognize. According to Examples 1 and 2, it can be expected that the presence ratio of bacteria species belonging to the mitis group in the oral bacterial flora is increased, and an improving effect on the oral bacterial flora is exhibited.

(Test 2)
Tables 1 and 3 are used to describe the bactericidal effect test.
Sample solutions of Comparative Examples 2 to 4 and Examples 3 and 4 shown in Table 1 were prepared. The contents of each component in Comparative Examples 2 to 4 and Examples 3 and 4 are as follows. The content of Phellodendron bark extract is 0.2%. The content of arginine is 1%. The lactose content is 2%. The balance of each sample solution is distilled water.

<Preparation of bacterial solution>
A bacterial solution used in Test 2 was prepared. The turbidity of the culture solution was measured at a wavelength of 660 nm. The culture solution was diluted with phosphate-buffered saline so that the turbidity became 1.0 to obtain a bacterial solution. Using culture solutions of S.oralis, S.mutans, P.gingivalis, and F.nucleatum, bacterial solutions of each strain were prepared.

<Test method for bactericidal effect test>
20 μl of bacterial solution and 180 μl of sample solution were added to wells of a 96-well plate. As a control, 180 µl of water was added instead of the sample solution. After a preset contact time, 20 μl of the solution from each well was added to 180 μl of inactivation medium. Contact times were 30 seconds and 10 minutes. After that, the cells were cultured at 37° C. under anaerobic conditions for 24 hours. Turbidity was measured and relative activity was calculated as in Test 1 above.

The inactivated medium was prepared by adding Tween® 80 and soybean lecithin, which are known as fungicide inactivators, to each medium. When the bactericide is added to the inactivation medium, the bactericide is inactivated.

<Results of bactericidal effect test>
The calculated relative activity was evaluated according to the following criteria. Those results are shown in Table 3.
· Evaluation criteria for relative activity in bactericidal effect test ◎: Relative activity is 1.30 or more. The growth of fungal species is promoted.
○: Relative activity is 0.90 or more and less than 1.30. Bacterial species are grown.
Δ: The relative activity is 0.50 or more and less than 0.90. The growth of fungal species is suppressed to some extent.
x: Relative activity is less than 0.50. The growth of fungal species is suppressed.

実施例３及び４では、接触時間３０秒の場合、及び接触時間１０分の場合において、Ｐｇ及びＦｎの相対活性が低くなった。この結果から、Ｐｇ及びＦｎの生育を抑制する効果は、接触時間３０秒以上の場合に得られることがわかる。

In Examples 3 and 4, the relative activities of Pg and Fn were lower at a contact time of 30 seconds and at a contact time of 10 minutes. From this result, it can be seen that the effect of suppressing the growth of Pg and Fn is obtained when the contact time is 30 seconds or longer.

In Examples 3 and 4, the relative activity of Sm was low when the contact time was 10 minutes. From this result, it can be seen that the effect of suppressing the growth of Sm is not obtained when the contact time is 30 seconds, but is obtained when the contact time is 10 minutes or longer.

(Test 3)
Table 4 describes studies that have been conducted on active ingredients that exert selective antimicrobial activity. Specifically, in Test 3, antibacterial effects were examined for Phellodendron bark extract, berberine which is the main component of the Phellodendron bark extract, and Coptis japonica extract which is an example of a plant extract containing berberine.

<Test method>
Phellodendron bark extract was dissolved in distilled water to prepare dilution series. An antibacterial effect test was conducted in the same manner as Test 1 using these dilution series as sample solutions. A bacterial solution was prepared in the same manner as in Test 1. The concentration at which no bacterial growth was observed was defined as the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Table 4 shows the results.

Dilution series were also prepared for coptis extract and berberine. A similar antibacterial effect test was performed using these dilution series as sample solutions, and the concentration at which no growth of bacteria was observed was defined as the MIC. Table 4 shows the results.

〈試験結果〉
オウバクエキス、オウレンエキス及びベルベリンに関して、Ｓｍ、Ｐｇ及びＦｎについては、ＭＩＣの値が低く生育を抑制しやすいことを確認できた。Ｓｏについては、ＭＩＣの値が高く、生育を抑制しにくいことを確認できた。すなわち、選択的抗菌作用を発揮することがわかる。

<Test results>
Regarding the Phellodendron bark extract, Coptis copica extract and berberine, it was confirmed that Sm, Pg and Fn had low MIC values and easily inhibited growth. As for So, it was confirmed that the MIC value was high and the growth was difficult to suppress. That is, it turns out that selective antibacterial action is exhibited.

It was also confirmed that the Coptis extract can be applied as an oral cavity composition containing the Coptis extract together with arginine, as in the case of Phellodendron bark extract.
(Test 4)
Table 5 describes tests that verified the selectivity of the selective antibacterial action exhibited by Phellodendron bark extract and berberine. Specifically, in Test 4, the action of the Phellodendron bark extract and berberine on strains of the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus was examined.

<Preparation of bacterial solution>
A bacterial solution used in Test 4 was prepared. First, a double concentration medium was prepared. Next, the turbidity of the culture solution was measured at a wavelength of 660 nm. The culture solution was diluted with a double-concentration medium so that the turbidity became 0.1 to obtain a bacterial solution.

Using culture solutions of S.oralis, S.sanguinis and S.gordonii, which are members of the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus, and S.mutans, which is a member of the mutans group of the genus Streptococcus, bacterial solutions of each species were prepared.
<Test method>
A dilution series was prepared by dissolving the Phellodendron bark extract in distilled water. An antibacterial effect test was conducted in the same manner as Test 1 using these dilution series as sample solutions. The bacterial solution used was prepared as described above. The concentration at which no bacterial growth was observed was taken as the MIC. Table 5 shows the results.

A dilution series was also prepared for berberine. A similar antibacterial effect test was performed using these dilution series as sample solutions, and the concentration at which no growth of bacteria was observed was defined as the MIC. Table 5 shows the results.

〈試験結果〉
オウバクエキス及びベルベリンに関して、S.oralisに対するＭＩＣの値は、S.mutansに対するＭＩＣの値と比較して高かった。すなわち、S.mutansの生育を選択的に抑制しつつも、S.oralisの生育を抑制しにくいことを確認できた。さらに、S.oralisに限らず、S.sanguinis及びS.gordoniiに対するＭＩＣの値は、S.mutansに対するＭＩＣの値と比較して高かった。すなわち、S.oralisに限らず、S.sanguinis及びS.gordoniiの生育が抑制されにくいことを確認できた。このことから、mitis groupの菌種に対して生育を抑制しにくい選択性があることがわかる。

<Test results>
For Phellodendron bark extract and berberine, the MIC values against S.oralis were higher compared to those against S.mutans. In other words, it was confirmed that the growth of S.oralis is difficult to suppress while selectively suppressing the growth of S.mutans. Furthermore, the MIC values for not only S.oralis but also S.sanguinis and S.gordonii were higher than those for S.mutans. That is, it was confirmed that the growth of not only S.oralis but also S.sanguinis and S.gordonii is difficult to suppress. From this, it can be seen that there is a selectivity that makes it difficult to suppress the growth of strains of the mitis group.

From the results of the verification in Test 4, an oral cavity composition containing a plant extract containing berberine and arginine can be expected to have an effect of increasing the abundance ratio of the mitis group.

(details of reagents)
The details of the reagents used in each test described in Examples are as follows.
BHI medium: Becton, Dickinson and Company, Brain Heart Infusion Broth GAM medium: Nissui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., GAM bouillon Modified GAM medium: Nissui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., modified GAM bouillon Coptis extract: Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Coptis Coptis extract Phellodendron bark extract: Ichimaru Farcos Co., Phellodendron Liquid Berberine: Sigma-aldrich, berberine chloride Arginine: Sigma-aldrich, L-arginine Lactose: Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Co., lactose monohydrate

Claims (4)

A composition for oral cavity containing a plant extract containing berberine as a component and arginine for improving the balance of bacterial flora in the oral cavity. The oral composition of claim 1, further comprising lactose. Selectively suppressing the growth of bacterial species belonging to the pathogenic bacteria among bacterial species belonging to pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and bacterial species belonging to the mitis group of the genus Streptococcus, which are non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity The composition for oral cavity according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abundance ratio of bacterial species belonging to the mitis group is increased by The oral composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plant extract is at least one selected from Phellodendron bark extract and Coptis japonica extract.