AUTHOR=Vaillancourt Katy , Ben Lagha Amel , Grenier Daniel 

TITLE=A Phenolic-rich Extract of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Beans Impairs the Pathogenic Properties of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Attenuates the Activation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B in a Monocyte Model

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oral Health

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oral-health/articles/10.3389/froh.2022.867793

DOI=10.3389/froh.2022.867793

ISSN=2673-4842

ABSTRACT=<p>Periodontitis, an inflammatory disease that affects tooth-supporting tissues, is the result of a polymicrobial infection involving mainly Gram negative anaerobic bacteria. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a phenolic-rich extract of cocoa (<italic>Theobroma cacao</italic> L.) beans on the pathogenic properties of <italic>Porphyromonas gingivalis</italic>, which is well-known as a keystone pathogen in the development of periodontitis. The effect of the cocoa extract on <italic>P. gingivalis</italic>-induced activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor in a monocyte model was also assessed. The cocoa extract, whose major phenolic compound was epicatechin, inhibited the growth, hemolytic activity, proteolytic activities, and adherence properties (basement membrane matrix, erythrocytes) of <italic>P. gingivalis</italic> in a dose-dependent manner. It also protected the barrier function of a keratinocyte model against the deleterious effects mediated by <italic>P. gingivalis</italic>, and attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by oral keratinocytes treated with <italic>P. gingivalis</italic>. Lastly, the cocoa extract showed an anti-inflammatory property by preventing <italic>P. gingivalis</italic>-induced NF-κB activation in monocytes. In conclusion, this <italic>in vitro</italic> study highlighted the potential value of an epicatechin-rich extract of cocoa beans for preventing and/or treating periodontal diseases.</p>