Anticariogenic potential, phytochemical and molecular docking analysis of Momordica charantia: An in vitro study

Dental caries is among the most prevalent oral health issues, primarily caused by cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Recently, the search for natural alternatives to treat these pathogens has intensified, owing to the development of resistance to conventional antimicrobial drugs. This study aimed to examine the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of the ethanol extract of the wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia) against cariogenic pathogens. A Soxhlet extraction method was used to prepare a 70% ethanol extract of M. charantia. GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extract of wild bitter melon (M. charantia) revealed several unique bioactive compounds, including 1,8-cineole, β-caryopyllene, methyl eugenol, quercetin and flavone. Antibacterial efficacy was assessed using the well-diffusion method, followed by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Anti-biofilm activity was quantified by determining the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) and assessing biofilm inhibition and disruption. The interaction between Charantadiol A bioactive component present in the plant extract, and bacterial biofilm-related proteins (comA of S. mutans and luxS of L. acidophilus) was predicted using molecular docking studies. The results demonstrated good antibacterial efficacy of the extract, with zones of inhibition ranging from 14 to 18 mm, and MIC values of 300 μg/mL against both pathogens. The results of the antibiofilm study showed that the extract inhibited biofilm growth at concentrations below the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The molecular docking studies revealed binding energy of -6.86 and -5.82 kcal/mol for Charantadiol A with comA and luxS, respectively. These findings suggested that M. charantia ethanol extract showed promising anti-cariogenic and anti-biofilm potential, warranting further in vivo and clinical studies to establish its applicability in the management of oral health.