Physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and carvacrol on cariogenic bacteria: an in vitro and in silico study.

Natural antimicrobial products have been historically used for the prevention and control of biofilm-dependent oral diseases. We determined the physicochemical characteristics of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (OEO) and carvacrol (CAR), and their in vitro antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. In silico analysis was further carried out to examine the pharmacokinetics of CAR. The antimicrobial activity of OEO and CAR was determined through agar diffusion test, biofilm assays, and the checkboard test. Data were analyzed by Tukey's post hoc test. OEO showed inhibitory activity on bacterial growth, which was enhanced with the addition of CAR and greater than that of CAR alone. In silico analysis indicated good theoretical bioavailability of CAR. CAR showed effective physicochemical characteristics as an antimicrobial drug due to its favorable theoretical absorption and distribution kinetics. Collectively, our findings suggest that OEO and CAR warrant further investigations as promising natural products for controlling cariogenic biofilms.