Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. Leaves and Stem Bark : Antibiofilm Activity in the Management of Oral Infections
Vincent Ouedraogo *
Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Félix Taswaogo Ouedraogo
Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Wendkouni Leila Marie Esther Belem-Kabré
Department of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacopoeia (MEPHATRA-PH), Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS/CNRST), 03 P.O. Box 7034, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Ablassé Rouamba
Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Eli Compaoré
Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
René Dofini Magnini
Department of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacopoeia (MEPHATRA-PH), Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS/CNRST), 03 P.O. Box 7034, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Martin Kiendrebeogo
Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Oral diseases remain a major global health problem, with a disproportionately high burden in developing countries. Bacterial biofilm formation contributes to the persistence of oral infections and can reduce the effectiveness of conventional antimicrobial treatments.
Aims: The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of Diospyros mespiliformis against Streptococcus mutans, one of the main bacteria involved in dental biofilm formation, and Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Applied Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, between November 2025 and March 2026.
Methodology: The crystal violet method using a 96-well microplate was used to assess the anti-biofilm activity of methanol extracts from the leaves and stem bark of D. mespiliformis. The antioxidant activity of the two extracts was also assessed using the 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) methods. The secondary metabolites were quantified and detected using qualitative methods.
Results: At a sub-bactericidal concentration of 100 µg/mL, 35% inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation was recorded for both the stem bark and salicylic acid. The leaf extract was more effective, with an inhibition rate of 56%. The stem bark and leaf extracts had a less pronounced inhibitory effect on S. aureus biofilm formation compared to the reference compound, salicylic acid, which had an inhibition rate of 56%. The stem bark extract showed the highest anti-DPPH activity, while the highest FRAP-reducing activity was recorded for the leaf extract. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the flavonoid content of the leaf extract was higher than that of the bark, while the stem bark extract was found to have a higher polyphenol content.
Conclusion: The anti-biofilm activity of D. mespiliformis provides a scientific basis for its use in the treatment of oral infections. The phytochemicals contained in this plant could be isolated and serve as effective adjuvants in the fight against oral infections.
Keywords: Diospyros mespiliformis, antibiofilm activity, oral infections, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, methanolic extract, biofilm inhibition, antioxidant activity, phytochemicals, dental biofilm