Research Article - Journal of RNA and Genomics (2021) Volume 17, Issue 0

Molecular mechanisms underlying antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde against Streptococcus mutants and Enterococcus faecalis: An in silico approach. approach

Oral pathogens are extremely difficult to eliminate due to several factors such as biofilm formation, acquisition of drug resistant genes etc. Newer compounds are being tested against potential dental pathogens to be used as antimicrobials. In this context, the present study was designed to elucidate the possible mechanism of inhibition rendered by cinnamandehyde against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis by employing computational tools. The protein-phytocompound interactions were analysed using the STITCH tool. The resultant observations were further analysed to identify the functional class and virulence nature of the interacting proteins revealed using VICMPred and VirulentPred softwares. Protein repertoire of Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis interacting with cinnamaldehyde was documented. The results of VICMPred and VirulentPred indicated that Glutaredoxin-like protein NrdH involved in the cellular process of Enterococcus faecalis and Glutaredoxin involved in metabolic pathway of Streptococcus mutans were found to be the virulent proteins. The present study reveals the crucial proteins targeted by cinnamaldehyde. The interaction of cinnamaldehyde with the proteins of dental pathogens needs further investigation.

Author(s): Pawan Kumar Earasi, Smiline Girija AS, Vijayashree Priyadharshini

Abstract PDF