Repurposing of Tamoxifen Against the Oral Bacteria

Abstract

Objectives: Tamoxifen (TAM), which is used for treating breast cancer, has exhibited another important function as an antimicrobial agent. The objective of this study is to investigate the antibacterial action of TAM against the bacteria present in the human oral cavity.

Materials and methods: The bacteria present in the human oral cavity were isolated from healthy individuals. Different concentrations of TAM were tested against the isolated bacteria. Additionally, bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of TAM were also determined.

Results: Out of 23 isolated bacteria, a greater number of Gram-positive bacteria were highly susceptible to the low concentrations of TAM than Gram-negative bacteria. Kytococcus sedentarius, which is Gram-positive bacterium, and Pseudomonas stutzeri, which is Gram-negative bacterium, needed a high minimum inhibitory concentration value of TAM (2.5 mg/mL) to be inhibited by TAM's bacteriostatic action. Resistance to TAM was also observed in three strains of Gram-positive and four strains of Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusion: TAM has shown a potential antibacterial effect against the bacteria present in the oral cavity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. This effect is mostly bacteriostatic. This study also found bacterial resistance toward TAM.

Keywords: Bacteria; Gram-negative; Gram-positive; oral cavity; tamoxifen.