Prospects for Liposome-Encapsulated Nisin in the Prevention of Dental Caries

Dental caries is a common oral bacterial infectious disease. Its prevention requires the control of the causative pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans, that exist within dental plaque. Nisin is a proteinaceous bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis that is used to suppress bacterial infections. It has an inhibitory mode of action on a wide range of gram-positive bacteria. Improvements in the medical benefits of antibacterial agents can be achieved if they can be retained in liposomes for a long period after administration. Liposome systems can increase the ability of the encapsulated compounds, which have been widely used to encapsulate many kinds of compounds in various scientific settings. Liposomes can release labile molecules at a moderate rate. Liposome technologies that effectively protect the encapsulated molecules from decomposition have the potential to improve their preventive and therapeutic effects. Therefore, the use of liposomes to administer antimicrobial agents has spurred research into their utility in preventive medicine. The encapsulation of nisin in liposomes can provide means of improving the stability of nisin and its antibacterial effect against S. mutans. The present chapter will review the prospects for liposome-encapsulated nisin for the prevention of oral infectious diseases.