The identification of periodontal bacteria and investigation of antibacterial properties and wound healing effect of Channa striatus (Haruan) extract on periodontal disease in cats

Channa striatus (Haruan) is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, this study was conducted: (i) To determine the cytotoxic effect of Channa striatus extract (ii) To identify periodopathogen in periodontal pocket in cats (iii) To investigate the antibacterial properties (iv) To assess healing effect of Channa striatus extract (CSE) on periodontitis in cats; and (v) To investigate the role of Channa striatus extract as prophylaxis on periodontitis in cats in term of gingivitis, plaque formation, and plaque pH. There is an increase of reported cases of systemic periodontal complication and detrimental health effect of corticosteroid treatment, thus, a safer and effective natural product is needed such as Channa striatus. Channa striatus extract was prepared in different solvents such as ethanol, chloroform-methanol, hydroethanolic, hexane, acetone, and aqueous. Sub-gingival microbiological samples were taken from 24 stray cats with periodontal disease. The samples were cultured (aerobic and anaerobic condition), and isolates were further identified using Gram staining and biochemical tests (conventional and API 20E kit). Anaerobic bacteria were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Disc diffusion and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) were done to determine the antibacterial properties of Channa striatus extract against the isolated bacteria. 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of CSE. For in vivo study, 24 stray cats having periodontitis (stage one and two) were selected. The cats were divided randomly into four groups, which were Channa striatus extract (CSE) group, a commercialized oral product (COP) group, a plain agar gel (PAG) group, and untreated (UT) group. Assessment of the periodontal wound healing based on clinical examinations, gingivitis index, probing depth, recession, calculus index, and healing changes were evaluated weekly for one month. Treatments were stopped for one month to monitor for any relapse of gingivitis. Gingival biopsy samples were taken on the first, third, fifth, and seventh days. In the cytotoxic activity, the Channa striatus extract increases the cell viability and growth when at higher concentration. The periodopathogen identified in this study are Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp. , Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. The result showed presence of antibacterial activity of the extract against Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Pasteurella multocida, with MIC ranging from 250 to 500 mg/ml. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the gingivitis index in CSE, COP, and PAG groups during the treatment period. The histological healing score for the gingival biopsy of CSE showed reduced inflammation score compared to the PAG group on day 5. The fibroblast and collagen deposition score increased on day 7 for CSE compared to the other group. Channa striatus is effective in reducing gingivitis index and promotes oral mucosal wound healing. Plaque formation was reduced on week 6 compared to week 4. These findings suggest that Channa striatus extract promoted the cell population in vitro and could be a plausible therapeutic wound healing alternative for periodontal disease in cats and control gingivitis and formation plaque after application.