ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.
Sec. Oral Microbes and Host
Volume 15 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1683203
Benzyl Isothiocyanate Exhibits Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity Against Fusobacterium nucleatum While Preserving Viability of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study
Provisionally accepted
Abdulaziz A Almobarak1*
Abdullah Alqedairi1
Abdulaziz Binrayes1
Rhodanne A Lambarte2
Abdurahman Niazy1Fahd Aljarbou1- 1King Saud University College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- 2Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Health Research Center, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Background: Regenerative endodontic procedures require effective disinfection and preservation of stem cell viability, which are essential for successful tissue regeneration. Conventional intracanal medicaments possess antibacterial properties but may negatively impact stem cell survival. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is a bioactive compound with known antibacterial properties and favorable biocompatibility. Methods: This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of BITC against Fusobacterium nucleatum in both planktonic and biofilm forms and assessed its biocompatibility on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) in comparison to calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using microdilution and agar culture methods. Biofilm biomass was quantified using the crystal violet assay, viability was visualized through live/dead imaging, and microstructure was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Cellular viability was evaluated using the Alamar Blue™ assay, and cell morphology was examined using inverted microscopy. Results: BITC exhibited MIC and MBC values of 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively. At 0.2%, BITC demonstrated comparable antibacterial activity to Ca(OH)₂, whereas 0.4% and 0.8% showed enhanced bactericidal effects. Notably, 0.2% and 0.4% BITC maintained hBMMSCs viability and morphology, while 0.8% BITC and Ca(OH)₂ significantly reduced cell survival. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BITC could serve as a potential antimicrobial agent in regenerative endodontic treatment and future therapeutic applications.
Keywords: Benzyl isothiocyanate, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Antibiofilm, Calcium Hydroxide, regenerative endodontics, Stem Cells, viability
Received: 10 Aug 2025; Accepted: 24 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Almobarak, Alqedairi, Binrayes, Lambarte, Niazy and Aljarbou. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Abdulaziz A Almobarak, almobarak.aa@gmail.com
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