In vitro activity of Amazon plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis

Previous studies analyzing 2,200 plant extracts indicated anti-enterococcal activity in 25 extracts obtained from Brazilian forests' plants. In the present study, these extracts were subjected to microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and disk diffusion assay (DDA) using planktonic Enterococcus faecalis ATCC® 29212TM and were submitted to phytochemical analysis in TLC and HPLC. Three extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba (MIC < 40 µg/mL), Diclinanona calycina (MIC < 40 µg/mL) and Moronobea coccinea (40 < MIC < 80 µg/mL; MBC = 80 µg/mL) showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA and four extracts obtained from I. alba (14.04 ± 0.55 mm diameter) S. globulifera (14.43 ± 0.33 mm and 12.18 ± 0.28 mm diameter) and Connarus ruber var. ruber (13.13 ± 0.18 mm diameter) were active in DDA. Residues H2O obtained from Psidium densicomum (mean of 16.78 mm diameter) and from Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (mean of 15.97 mm diameter) have shown an improved antibacterial activity after fractionation if compared to that obtained from the respective crude extracts. Antioxidant activity was observed in some residues of the active extracts. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds are likely to be found in active extracts. Three molecules were isolated from S. globulifera and were identified by 13C NMR lupeol, α-amyrin and 3β-hydroxyglutin-5-ene. The present chemical and biological findings suggest that these extracts are a potential source of new anti-Enterococcus compounds to be introduced in endodontic therapy.

Anti-Streptococcal activity of Brazilian Amazon Rain Forest plant extracts presents potential for preventive strategies against dental caries

Caries is a global public health problem, whose control requires the introduction of low-cost treatments, such as strong prevention strategies, minimally invasive techniques and chemical prevention agents. Nature plays an important role as a source of new antibacterial substances that can be used in the prevention of caries, and Brazil is the richest country in terms of biodiversity. Objective: In this study, the disk diffusion method (DDM) was used to screen over 2,000 Brazilian Amazon plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans. Material and Methods: Seventeen active plant extracts were identified and fractionated. Extracts and their fractions, obtained by liquid-liquid partition, were tested in the DDM assay and in the microdilution broth assay (MBA) to determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The extracts were also subjected to antioxidant analysis by thin layer chromatography. Results: EB271, obtained from Casearia spruceana, showed significant activity against the bacterium in the DDM assay (20.67±0.52 mm), as did EB1129, obtained from Psychotria sp. (Rubiaceae) (15.04±2.29 mm). EB1493, obtained from Ipomoea alba, was the only extract to show strong activity against Streptococcus mutans (0.08 mg/mL<MIC<0.16 mg/mL; MBC=0.16 mg/mL) in the MBA. Conclusions: The active extracts, discovered in the Amazon rain forest, show potential as sources of new antibacterial agents for use as chemical coadjuvants in prevention strategies to treat caries. .

New trends in dentistry: plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis. The efficacy compared to chlorhexidine

Enterococcus faecalis is an important pathogen associated with endodontic diseases, and its elimination and control are of paramount importance, as it represents one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of endodontic disease. Twenty-five plant extracts obtained from Brazilian forests were found to be effective against planktonic E. faecalis and were subjected to two traditional antibacterial assays, the microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and the disk diffusion assay (DDA), using chlorhexidine (CHX) as a control. Seven out of 25 extracts showed significant antibacterial activity and were tested in a biofilm assay, and three of these extracts were subjected to chemical fractionation. Residues were tested for their antibacterial activity, and the first chemical findings were described based on thin layer chromatography (TLC). Extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba, Symphonia globulifera and Moronobea coccinea showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA. The same I. alba and S. globulifera extracts, as well as the extract obtained from Connarus ruber var. ruber, showed significant activity in the DDA. RH2O obtained from Psidium densicomum and Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum showed better antibacterial activity compared to the respective crude extracts and CHX. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds and triterpenes represent the first findings of chemical groups that may occur in all species. The results of the present study include the discovery of six active extracts against planktonic E. faecalis and support further testing via assays involving biofilm formation, as well as the determination of the compounds' chemical profiles, as their activity was significantly better than that observed for CHX.

Remoção química-mecânica da cárie dentária com o gel Papacárie®: relato de caso clínico / Chemomechanical caries removal with Papacárie® gel: case report

A Odontologia contemporânea visa desenvolver novos materiais e aprimorar as técnicas restauradoras para restabelecer a estética e a função, preservando o máximo de estrutura dentária. O uso extensivo de alta e baixa rotação deixou de ser técnica única de preparos cavitários, passando a contar com um aliado importante nessa etapa operatória, a remoção química-mecânica da cárie. Vários agentes foram testados, entre eles o gel Papacárie®, material de origem brasileira que em relação aos pesquisados anteriormente, acrescentou a vantagem do baixo custo, tornando-o compatível com a realidade nacional. O uso de curetas e produtos químicos permite a seleção do tecido necrótico que deve ser eliminado, mantendo o restante da dentina desorganizada, mas com capacidade de regeneração. Pelo fato da dentina necrótica ser morta, a remoção seletiva desse tecido torna a remoção de cárie indolor, dispensando o uso de anestesia. Estas qualidades são atraentes, especialmente no atendimento infantil por reduzir as freqüentes fobias ao tratamento odontológico. Objetiva-se descrever, nesse trabalho, o protocolo de aplicação do gel Papacárie® em criança portadora de lesões agudas de cárie.

New materials and techniques, aiming to reestablish esthetics and function, and to preserve the maximum of healthy structure, plow of major concern in dentistry today. The Papacarie® gel is a material developed to removes carious tissue, (and to further denaturation) of the infected and necrotic dentin, without removing its capacity of regeneration. The vantage of being the method performed without pain, with the uses of scarves, and without anesthetics and the uses of drills. It goes these reasons, this study have the objective presents the clinical marries using Papacarie® gel,with the presentation of his application protocol in sharp decay lesion. The pediatric patient, feminine gender, with 5 years of acts, leukoderma, presents lesion of sharp decays in the deciduous teeth 74 and 75 without pulp involvement. This technique was indicated due to its easy utilization, since it donate not require the uses of rubber dam, anesthetics and drills. Like this, that material an alternative in daily clinical treatment in lesion of sharp decays without pulp involvement, mainly in pediatric dentistry.