Abstract:
The present invention relates to  Alchemilla vulgaris  for use in oral health applications, an oral composition comprising  Alchemilla vulgaris,  and the use of  Alchemilla vulgaris  or the composition, in the improvement or maintenance of oral health in an animal, preferably through the reduction or control of dental plaque and/or alteration of the bacterial content of dental plaque, in the oral cavity of the animal. The invention also includes  Alchemilla vulgaris  for use in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis in an animal. The invention also provides a method for improving or maintaining oral health in an animal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a national stage filing of PCT/GB2007/004522 filed Nov. 27, 2007 claiming priority to Application GB 0625429.6 filed on Dec. 20, 2006 in the United Kingdom. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to  Alchemilla vulgaris  for use in oral health applications, an oral composition comprising  Alchemilla vulgaris  , and the use of  Alchemilla vulgaris  or the composition, in the improvement or maintenance of oral health in an animal, preferably through the reduction or control of dental plaque and/or alteration of the bacterial content of dental plaque, in the oral cavity of the animal. The invention also includes  Alchemilla vulgaris  for use in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis in an animal. The invention also provides a method for improving or maintaining oral health in an animal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The need to maintain or improve oral health in an animal is of great importance. Poor oral health can lead to gum disease (gingivitis) and ultimately tooth loss, which can have severe effects on the wellbeing of the animal. 
         [0004]    Poor oral health can be caused by a number of diseases and conditions. One of the most prevalent amongst cats and dogs is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease affects all cats and dogs at some stage during their lives. The aetiological agent in all cases of periodontal disease is plaque. 
         [0005]    Current dietary methods for reducing or controlling plaque formation (and therefore associated conditions, such as gingivitis), in companion animals are usually mechanical means, such as hard chews or treats which act to scrape the plaque from the teeth, when chewed or consumed by the animal. The mechanical means rely on texture for their efficacy and a chewy rather than brittle texture is preferable to resist breakage of the means and therefore to also increase tooth cleaning time during chewing. Cats are less keen than dogs to chew for prolonged periods. Therefore products for various animals differ in texture to allow for these different preferences. 
         [0006]    Textured toys may also be employed, to remove plaque mechanically from the surface of the teeth, without the animal ingesting any of the product that provides the textured surface. 
         [0007]    However, the removal of plaque by mechanical means such as textured foodstuffs or toys relies upon the animal spending sufficient time chewing the mechanical means to scrape the plaque from the surface of the teeth. The amount of time required is difficult to assess and to monitor. In addition, plaque control on all tooth surfaces in the oral cavity is difficult to achieve via mechanical abrasion alone and certain teeth receive more efficient cleaning than others. 
         [0008]    Plaque may also be removed or reduced by cleaning the teeth by brushing. However, owner compliance with toothbrushing is poor, with the result that very few dogs and cats receive a daily oral care regime of toothbrushing. 
         [0009]    As an alternative to mechanical means for the removal of plaque, certain synthetic compounds such as chlorhexidine and triclosan can be used as antibacterial agents to reduce plaque. However, these compounds are broad spectrum antibacterial agents and, as such, may cause an imbalance in healthy gut microflora populations when ingested regularly. In addition, certain plaque bacteria have been associated with periodontal health and treatment with broad spectrum antibacterials would potentially kill these populations and would actually result in a less healthy oral microflora, leading to a reduction in oral health. 
         [0010]    Accumulation of bacterial biofilms on the surface of a tooth can lead to gingivitis if not sufficiently addressed. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates on the gum line. It can cause soreness, redness and bleeding of the gums. 
         [0011]    An additional contributory factor to poor oral health is calculus. Since calculus cannot be removed by toothbrushing in normal cases, it accumulates on the tooth surface and irritates the gum tissue, giving rise to gingivitis. This is a further indication of poor or deteriorating oral health. 
         [0012]    The addition of calculus formation inhibitors such as sodium tripolyphosphate to pet foodstuffs and to human oral care products helps to prevent calculus accumulation. However, this does not address the bacterial community composition within the dental plaque that is contributing to the detrimental effects of periodontal disease on the oral health of the animal. 
         [0013]    Therefore, there is a need for reducing the effects of dental plaque in an animal, in particular by natural methods, without relying solely on mechanical means or synthetic chemicals or compounds and without stressing the animal. Furthermore, there remains a need for the prevention and treatment of gingivitis in an animal. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Accordingly, the present invention provides  Alchemilla vulgaris  for use in improving or maintaining oral health in an animal. 
         [0015]      Alchemilla vulgaris  ( Myrtus communis ) is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, native to southern Europe and north Africa. 
         [0016]    The inventors have unexpectedly found that  Alchemilla vulgaris  is able to improve and/or maintain oral health in an animal. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the  Alchemilla vulgaris  improves or maintains the oral health of the animal by controlling or reducing dental plaque in the animal, by which it is meant that disease causing factors produced by the plaque and/or dental plaque is reduced in the oral cavity of the animal. 
         [0018]    Dental plaque is a mixed microbial community consisting of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Although plaque may vary between individuals the formation process can be broken down into three key events of (i) primary colonisation (adhesion); (ii) secondary colonisation (coaggregation); and (iii) maturation (virulence). 
         [0019]    Plaque development begins with a tooth surface covered with a film of proteins and glycoproteins called the tooth salivary pellicle. Pioneer bacterial species adhere to molecules within the salivary pellicle, first forming a monolayer and subsequently pallisades of bacteria perpendicular to the tooth surface. 
         [0020]    The microbe is held for a brief period by a weakly attractive force, during which time a number of specific adhesion mechanisms hold the cell close to the surface for a significant time period. These specific interactions may be a combination of lectin-like, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions that in some instances could involve delicate structures called fibrils or fimbriae that project from the cell surface. Following this, initial attachment is rendered effectively irreversible by the production of extra-cellular polymers. 
         [0021]    In humans streptococci are the most common primary colonisers making up between 47-52% of all bacteria adhering to the salivary pellicle. 
         [0022]    During and after this initial phase, secondary colonisation by a variety of bacteria occurs leading to a large increase in bacterial diversity. Foremost among the events of secondary colonisation is the process of coaggregation whereby the primary colonisers now act as the substrate for colonisation. 
         [0023]    Coaggregation has been described as ‘the recognition between surface molecules on two different bacterial cell types so that a mixed cell aggregate is formed’. It has also be described as ‘the adherence among partner cells in a suspension’. 
         [0024]    Coaggregation is a highly specific process that takes place between specific bacterial ‘partners’. Each strain has its own set of partners and mechanisms of cell-cell recognition. Groups of strains also exist which are able to coaggregate with several other strains. Based on human studies, one such organism that dominates these later colonisers is  Fusobacterium nucleatum,  which is a dominant organism in mature dental plaque. 
         [0025]    Coaggregation is known to play an important role in human plaque formation. Coaggregation between different strains of canine oral bacteria has been determined in vitro suggesting a similar role for this behaviour in dental plaque formation and development in other animals. 
         [0026]    At some point during the development of the plaque biofilm, the rate of change in the overall composition slows. The point at which this happens is currently unknown, although it is thought to take several days for the biofilm to reach this state. 
         [0027]    In human plaque, a succession of bacterial species occurs as Gram-positive cocci and rods are progressively replaced by Gram-negative filamentous and flagellated organisms. The maturing biofilm also tends to become increasingly anaerobic as it increases in depth. 
         [0028]    It is at this point that the biofilm can be said to have reached a climax community, where a number of the bacteria are reliant on others within the biofilm for their survival. It is during this phase that many organisms associated with periodontal disease are present. These bacteria produce a number of compounds that are the causative factor of periodontal disease, such as proteases and haemolysins. Proteases, in particular trypsin, are reported to have a host of abilities, including the ability to degrade immunoglobulins, inactivate cytokines and their receptors, degrade host tissues and promote bleeding in the oral cavity. The bacteria of the plaque is known as the plaque biomass. 
         [0029]    Pathogenic bacteria, such as  Peptostreptococcus  are often present in dental plaque, as well as black pigmenting anaerobes, such as  Porphyromonas, Bacteroides  and  Prevotella,  all of which are thought to contribute to disease states. 
         [0030]    The  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention is useful for inhibiting the formation of such biofilms and/or inhibiting the detrimental activities of the biofilm and therefore improving or maintaining oral health by controlling or reducing dental plaque in an animal. The  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention is also provided for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis in an animal. 
         [0031]    By reducing the level of pathogenic bacteria in the biofilm, the health of the dental plaque is improved. Thus, the  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention is useful in altering the bacterial content of the plaque, preferably by reducing the pathogenic bacterial content of the plaque in the oral cavity of an animal. The  Alchemilla vulgaris  may also promote the healthy bacteria of the plaque. The  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention is useful in improving the health of the dental plaque present in the oral cavity of an animal. 
         [0032]    The  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention preferably reduces the level of inflammatory proteases and/or black pigmenting anaerobes in dental plaque in an animal. These are key disease causing agents that are found in dental plaque. 
         [0033]    Most preferably,  Alchemilla vulgaris  inhibits or reduces pathogenic bacteria in dental plaque, which may include  Peptostreptococcus  sp. 
         [0034]    The  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention is suitable for any animal including a human. However, in a preferred embodiment the animal is a companion animal or a human. By companion animal it is meant any animal that is kept as a pet, which includes a cat, a dog, a horse, a rabbit, or a guinea pig. Preferably, the composition is for a cat or a dog or a human. 
         [0035]    The skilled person understands that other names are used to refer to  Alchemilla vulgaris.    
         [0036]    The  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the invention can be the whole plant or a part thereof. It may be the root, bark, stem, leaf or any combination thereof. The  Alchemilla vulgaris  may be dried, crushed, ground or shredded. Preferably, the  Alchemilla vulgaris  is  Alchemilla vulgaris  bark. 
         [0037]    Additionally or alternatively an extract of  Alchemilla vulgaris  may be used. Suitable extracts include a methanol extract, ethanol extract, a chloroform extract or a water extract. 
         [0038]    A second aspect of the invention provides an oral composition comprising  Alchemilla vulgaris.    
         [0039]    The  Alchemilla vulgaris  may comprise between 0.1%-20% by weight of the composition, more preferably 1-15% by weight, more preferably 3-10% by weight, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10% by weight. Most preferably, the  Alchemilla vulgaris  comprises about 3% by weight of the composition. 
         [0040]    The composition may comprise  Alchemilla vulgaris  as the only active ingredient with respect to the improvement or maintenance of oral health. Alternatively, the composition may comprise  Alchemilla vulgaris  as part of a cocktail including one or more further oral health improving or maintaining, or plaque reducing or controlling components. 
         [0041]    Hereinafter in this text, the term “oral composition” covers all compositions that come into contact with the oral cavity, preferably the surface of a tooth of an animal, including a foodstuff, diet and supplement. Any of these forms may be solid, semi-solid or liquid. The composition may be a paste or a gel. 
         [0042]    The composition may be in the form of a supplement to be added to any foodstuff that does not contain sufficient levels of  Alchemilla vulgaris  to improve or maintain oral health including prevention or treatment of gingivitis, or to control or reduce dental plaque in an animal, by way of reduction or inhibition of disease causing factors and/or biomass in the plaque. 
         [0043]    The concentration of  Alchemilla vulgaris  in the supplement may be used in addition to the animal&#39;s main diet or foodstuff. This can be done by including a quantity of the supplement with the animal&#39;s diet or by additionally feeding the animal a quantity of the supplement. The supplement can be formed as a foodstuff with extremely high levels of the  Alchemilla vulgaris  composition of the invention, which requires dilution before feeding to the animal. The supplement may be in any form, including solid (e.g. a powder), semi-solid (e.g. a food-like consistency/gel), a liquid, a paste or alternatively, it may be in the form of a tablet or capsule. The liquid can conveniently be mixed in with the food or fed directly to the animal, for example via a spoon or via a pipette-like device. The supplement may be high in one or more components of the invention or may be in the form of a combined pack of at least two parts, each part containing the required level of one or more component. 
         [0044]    Preferably the  Alchemilla vulgaris  or a composition comprising  Alchemilla vulgaris  is incorporated into a commercial petfood product composition or a commercial dietary supplement composition. The petfood product may be a dry, semi-dry, a moist or a liquid (drink) product. Moist products include food which is sold in tins or foil containers and has a moisture content of 70 to 90%. Dry products include food which have a similar composition, but with 5 to 15% moisture and presented as biscuit-like kibbles. When the composition comprises a diet, foodstuff or supplement, it is preferably packaged. In this way the consumer is able to identify, from the packaging, the ingredients in the food and identify that it is suitable for the animal in question. The packaging may be metal (usually in the form of a tin or flexifoil), plastic, paper or card. The amount of moisture in any product may influence the type of packaging which can be used or is required. 
         [0045]    The composition according to the present invention encompasses any product which an animal may consume in its diet. Thus, the invention covers standard food products for humans or other animals, as well as pet food snacks (for example snack bars, biscuits and sweet products). The composition may be a cooked product. It may incorporate meat or animal derived material (such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, blood plasma, marrowbone etc, or two or more thereof). The composition alternatively may be meat free (preferably including a meat substitute such as soya, maize gluten or a soya product) in order to provide a protein source. The composition may contain additional protein sources such as soya protein concentrate, milk proteins, gluten etc. The composition may also contain a starch source such as one or more grains (e.g. wheat, corn, rice, oats, barely etc) or may be starch free. A typical dry commercial dog and cat food contains about 30% crude protein, about 10-20% fat and the remainder being carbohydrate, including dietary fibre and ash. A typical wet, or moist product contains (on a dry matter basis) about 40% fat, 50% protein and the remainder being fibre and ash. The composition of the present invention is particularly relevant for a foodstuff as herein described which is sold as a diet, foodstuff or supplement for a cat, a dog or any other companion animal or a human. 
         [0046]    In the present text the terms “domestic” dog and “domestic” cat mean dogs and cats, in particular  Felis domesticus  and  Canis domesticus.    
         [0047]    The composition may be applied to or incorporated within a chew or treat which the animal may consume in addition to a main meal foodstuff. The composition may be provided as a coating on or incorporated within a main meal foodstuff. 
         [0048]    Alternatively, the composition may be a liquid, gel, paste or the like which may be applied as a coating to a non-consumable product, such as a toy for an animal. The composition may be incorporated within the product. When the animal chews the toy, the composition comes into contact with some or all of the oral cavity of the animal and improves or maintains the oral health of the animal. 
         [0049]    When the composition is incorporated within or coated onto a chewy or hard product, the additional benefit of improving or maintaining the oral health of the animal by removing plaque through the mechanical action of the product against the teeth of the animal is achieved, as well as by the action of the  Alchemilla vulgaris  in the composition. 
         [0050]    The inhibition of certain plaque biofilm forming bacteria by  Alchemilla vulgaris  results in the control or reduction of dental plaque in an animal by the reduction of the bacterial content of the dental plaque. 
         [0051]    The composition may be used for an animal with any level of oral health in order to improve or maintain oral health in the animal. 
         [0052]    The composition may be used for an animal with good or acceptable oral health in order to maintain oral health. The composition in this case may control dental plaque formation and minimise the destructive effects of certain plaque bacteria on the periodontal health of the animal. 
         [0053]    Alternatively, the composition may be used for an animal with poor oral health in order to improve the oral health of the animal. The improvement of oral health may be by way of the control of the further accumulation of dental plaque and slow the progression of the disease into the severest stages. It may also reduce dental plaque already present on the surface of the teeth of the animal. In cases of moderate to severe periodontal disease, the animal may require veterinary and/or dental attention prior to using the composition in order to achieve oral health benefits and reduce the frequency of future veterinary and/or dental intervention. 
         [0054]    The composition is an oral composition. By oral composition it is meant that during use the oral cavity of the animal is exposed to the composition, and preferably the composition has direct contact with the surface of a tooth of the animal. Most preferably, the surface of a tooth is directly contacted with the  Alchemilla vulgaris  of the composition. 
         [0055]    Such an oral composition can include toothpaste, mouthwash or any other such gel, liquid or paste. The oral composition may be a foodstuff, as previously defined. 
         [0056]    A third aspect of the invention provides the use of  Alchemilla vulgaris  in the manufacture of a composition for the improvement or maintenance of oral health in an animal. Preferably, the oral health is improved or maintained by the control or reduction of dental plaque in the animal including reduction and/or inhibition of disease causing factors, biomass or pathogenic bacteria. The use of  Alchemilla vulgaris  in the manufacture of a composition for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis is also provided. 
         [0057]    The invention, as a fourth aspect, also provides a method for the improvement or maintenance of oral health in an animal comprising administering to the animal  Alchemilla vulgaris  or a composition of the second aspect. Preferably, the method improves or maintains the oral health of the animal by the reduction or control of dental plaque in the animal, as previously defined. 
         [0058]    In the method of the fourth aspect, the oral cavity of the animal is exposed to the composition, by way of consumption of the composition through its inclusion in a foodstuff, or by way of a coating comprising the composition on a toy which the animal chews. 
         [0059]    Preferably, the method is for use in an animal susceptible to poor oral health or dental plaque, gingivitis or periodontal disease. 
         [0060]    The composition may be administered to an animal with poor oral health to reduce the amount of dental plaque or factors contained therein, and then continued feedings may be carried out to control, reduce or inhibit the formation of further dental plaque or any one or more of the factors contained therein. The animal may require veterinary and/or dental treatment before or during use of the composition to remove calculus deposits in order to see a beneficial effect of the  Alchemilla vulgaris  or the composition. 
         [0061]    By poor oral health is meant the presence of a number of indicators of this status including calculus and plaque accumulation, gingivitis, oral malodour, presence of gingival recession and/or periodontal pockets, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. 
         [0062]    All features of each aspect of the invention relate to all other aspects mutatis mutandis, as appreciated by the skilled person. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0063]    The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples and figure, in which: 
           [0064]      FIG. 1  shows the effect of  Alchemilla vulgaris  on  Peptostreptococcus stomatis  colonies cultured from treated single species biofilms expressed as a percentage of untreated controls. Untreated CFU (100%)=1.34×10̂7. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Examples  
       [0065]      Alchemilla vulgaris  was tested for its ability to control or reduce dental plaque in an animal by way of the following in vitro experiments. Supragingival plaque was obtained from cats and various assays were carried out, as described below, to determine whether  Alchemilla vulgaris  has the ability to improve or maintain oral health in an animal. 
       Example 1 
       [0066]    Initial assays were set up to help determine whether  Alchemilla vulgaris  would be suitable for use in an animal for improving or maintaining oral health. 
         [0067]    These assays included ability to inhibit adhesion of plaque forming bacterial strains and ability to inhibit protease production in such bacterial strains. 
         [0068]      Alchemilla vulgaris  inhibited adhesion of biofilm forming bacterial strains by up to 100% and protease production by up to 66%.  Alchemilla vulgaris  also showed inhibition of haemolysis in 2 out of 8 bacterial strains tested. 
         [0069]    These results indicated that  Alchemilla vulgaris  is able to inhibit undesirable oral bacteria and therefore it was tested in further assays for its ability to improve or maintain oral health. 
       Example 2  
       [0070]    Assay Inoculum: Plaque and Saliva Sampling from Dogs 
         [0071]    The assay requires fresh supragingival feline dental plaque and saliva for inoculation. The inoculum consists of pooled dental plaque and unfiltered saliva sampled from a group of 18 cats, varying in age, breed and oral health status. 
         [0072]    The plaque and saliva were resuspended in artificial saliva to form the inoculum of approximately 10% plaque and 30% saliva. 
       Assay Set-Up 
       [0073]    The plate biofilm assay (PBA) utilises a 24 well plate format in which biofilms, representative of feline dental plaque, are grown on hydroxyapatite (HA) discs. Prior to being introduced to the 24 well assay plate, each HA disc is preconditioned for 2 hours in a solution of 50% filter sterilised feline saliva in artificial feline saliva. The preconditioning step stimulates the formation of a salivary pellicle on the HA disc surface. Following preconditioning, each HA disc is placed individually into a well on the 24 well plate. The inoculum is divided into two equal aliquots and the active added to one aliquot at the appropriate concentration. The other aliquot represents the control (no active). A 1 ml inoculum is added to each well and the assay plate incubated aerobically with shaking at 38° C. for 48 hours. After 24 hours and 30 hours, the discs are transferred into fresh artificial saliva containing the active at the appropriate concentration as before. Biofilm-covered HA discs are removed from the assay plate for analysis after 48 hours. Each HA disc, with the exception of those being used for biomass quantification, is placed into 500 μl PBS and vortex mixed for 30 seconds to remove biofilm growth from the disc into solution. Biofilm suspensions are then used for analysis. Biofilm-covered HA discs that are being used for biomass quantification are removed from the 24 well assay plate and used directly in the crystal violet assay. 
       Example 3  
       [0074]      Alchemilla vulgaris  Extracts Tested in the PBA 
         [0075]    The extract of  Alchemilla vulgaris  used was a methanol extract (M) for testing in the feline PBA since this showed good activity in the initial screening rounds Extractions were performed as described previously. 
         [0076]    In addition, chlorhexidine (Lloyds Pharmacy) was included as the gold standard reference or positive control. However, chlorhexidine is undesirable for use in animal compositions since it is a synthetic chemical and may have potential toxic effects as it is a chemical used in its purest form. 
       Example 4  
     Biofilm Measures 
       [0077]    The following analyses were used to assess the biofilms produced in the feline PBA and the effects of  Alchemilla vulgaris  and the non-botanical compounds on biofilm development: 
         [0078]    Biomass quantification (crystal violet assay) 
         [0079]    Protease activity 
         [0080]    Bacterial viable counts 
         [0081]    A brief description of each biofilm measure is given below. 
       Biomass 
       [0082]    The total amount of biofilm grown on the HA discs was quantified using the crystal violet staining method. Biomass was represented as being directly proportional to the OD reading at 595 nm (OD 595 ) of the samples compared to controls. Results were expressed as the reduction in OD 595  seen in active-treated samples compared to no active controls, reflecting the effect of the active treatment on the amount of biofilm growth on the disc. 
         [0083]      Alchemilla vulgaris  reduced biomass by 85.6%. 
       Protease Activity 
       [0084]    Trypsin-like protease activity was measured using the liquid BAPNA assay, a colourimetric assay in which the amount of trypsin present in a sample is directly proportional to the intensity of the colour developed. Samples were quantified against a trypsin standard curve and results expressed as the percentage inhibition of protease activity in active-treated samples compared to controls. 
         [0085]      Alchemilla vulgaris  reduced protease production by 100%. 
       Bacterial Counts 
       [0086]    Viable numbers of bacteria were quantified using Columbia blood agar plates supplemented with haemin and menadione. Aerobes were counted after incubation for 2 days and anaerobes, including black pigmenting colonies (BPC), were counted after incubation at appropriate conditions for 9 days. Plate counts are expressed as colony forming units (cfu) per ml and differences between control and active plates are expressed in logs. 
         [0087]      Alchemilla vulgaris  reduced plate counts of black pigmenting colonies by 5.9 logs, compared to the controls. 
       Example 5  
     Statistical Analysis of Data 
       [0088]    Each sample was repeated 5 times within the assay. Unless otherwise stated, all extracts were tested in the assay at a concentration of 500 μg/ml. For each sample, all of the values obtained were logged and the means calculated from the log values. 
         [0089]    A 2-tailed t-test with unequal variance was then performed. An unequal variance analysis was selected as the individual analyses were independent i.e. the measures were not comparable to one another. For each data set, p values were obtained and these gave an indication of the reproducibility of the data. 
       Results 
       [0090]    A table summarising how  Alchemilla vulgaris  performed in the tests is set out below. Aerobes, anaerobes and black pigmenting colonies (BPC) are expressed as log reductions and protease and biomass are expressed as percentage reductions. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Aerobe 
                 Anaerobe 
                 BPC 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (Log 10 
                 (Log 10 
                 (Log 10 
                 Protease (% 
                 Biomass (% 
               
               
                 Name 
                 reduction) 
                 reduction) 
                 reduction) 
                 reduction) 
                 reduction) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Chlorhexidine 
                 1.91 
                 2.16 
                 4.86 
                 90.0 
                 79.0 
               
               
                 
                   Alchemilla vulgaris 
                 
                 1.33 
                 0.87 
                 5.90 
                 100 
                 85.6 
               
               
                 
                   Uncaria tomentosa 
                 
                 0.48 
                 0.12 
                 0.23 
                 100 
                 78.1 
               
               
                 
                   Camellia sinensis 
                 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0.27 
                 23.0 
                 17.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0091]      Alchemilla vulgaris  had a significant inhibitory effect on black pigmenting colony counts, protease production and biomass. 
         [0092]      Camellia sinensis  is well known in the art to have a strong effect on human plaque bacteria. It can be seen from the results above that  Alchemilla vulgaris  is more effective at inhibiting plaque bacteria in feline plaque than  Camellia sinensis,  and thus provides a surprising new botanical ingredient for use in the maintenance or improvement of oral health in an animal. 
       Example 6  
     Testing of Raw Material 
       [0093]    The raw plant material of  Alchemilla vulgaris  was also tested in the Plate Biofilm Assay, as well as the extracts described above. The raw plant material was prepared through a 250 μm pore size sieve and was tested at 5000 μg/ml in the assay. The raw material was also effective at inhibiting the biofilm and reduced biomass by up to 83.8%, and protease by up to 82.4%. 
       Example 7  
     Inhibition of Human Plaque Isolates 
       [0094]      Alchemilla vulgaris  powder was also tested for inhibition of biofilm formation in a human form of the Plate Biofilm Assay using an organism  Peptostreptococcus stomatis  commonly found in human plaque. The final concentration of each agent was 250 μg/ml. Tests were repeated five times in separate assays. 
         [0095]    Hydroxyapatite discs were incubated in 20% sterile pooled human saliva for 2 hours at room temperature before inoculation with  Peptostreptococcus stomatis  in artificial saliva (Pratten et al., 1998). Biofilms were cultured for 24 hours at 37° C. in anaerobic conditions (10% H 2 , 10% CO 2 , 80% N 2 ), mimicking the conditions found in the sub-gingival recesses during the onset and progression of periodontitis. 
         [0096]    Biofilms were dispersed, serially diluted and plated onto columbia blood agar containing hemin and menadione (5mg/1) before incubation under anaerobic conditions. Colonies were counted after 24 hours growth at 37° C. 
         [0097]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , treatment of the biofilms with  Alchemilla vulgaris  reduced bacterial numbers in  Peptostreptococcus  biofilms compared to both untreated controls and those treated with eucalyptus leaf powder a commonly used natural botanical in oral health applications. 
       Example 8 
       [0098]    Various product applications will require survival of the raw material activity following exposure to temperatures up to 120° C. To test this, the  Alchemilla vulgaris  was heated to 120° C. for 10 minutes and its activity tested in the Plate Biofilm Assay compared with non heat-treated controls. 
         [0099]    Heat treatment of  Alchemilla vulgaris,  as described above, does not affect its performance. Heat-treated  Alchemilla vulgaris  reduces biomass by 66.2%, compared to 45.2% in the unheated control. Protease production is inhibited by 100% by both the heat-treated and non-heated material.