Diarylureas: New Promising Small Molecules against Streptococcus mutans for the Treatment of Dental Caries

Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated disease that represents a worldwide oral health issue. Streptococcus mutans has been ascertained as the main cariogenic pathogen responsible for human dental caries, with a high ability to form biofilms, regulated by the quorum sensing. Diarylureas represent a class of organic compounds that show numerous biological activities, including the antimicrobial one. Two small molecules belonging to this class, specifically to diphenylureas, BPU (1,3-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea) and DMTU (1,3-di-m-tolyl-urea), showed interesting results in studies regarding the antimicrobial activity against the cariogenic bacterium S. mutans. Since there are not many antimicrobials used for the prevention and treatment of caries, further studies on these two interesting compounds and other diarylureas against S. mutans may be useful to design new effective agents for the treatment of caries with generally low cytotoxicity.

Automated summary

Dental caries is a significant global oral health issue caused by biofilms. Streptococcus mutans is the main cariogenic pathogen responsible for dental caries, forming biofilms through quorum sensing. Diarylureas, including BPU and DMTU, have shown promising antimicrobial activity against S. mutans in studies. Considering the limited antimicrobial options for caries prevention and treatment, further research on these compounds and other diarylureas may lead to the development of effective agents with low cytotoxicity.