ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial effect and the solubility of experimental root canal filling pastes containing the phytoconstituents terpineol and cinnamaldehyde. Material and Methods: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each phytoconstituent was determined against Enterococcus faecalis. Five groups of antibiotic pastes based on zinc oxide were obtained by mixing: only terpineol, only cinnamaldehyde, terpineol and cinnamaldehyde combined, chlorhexidine (antibiotic control), and CTZ paste (control paste). Antibacterial activity was analyzed through direct contact test within 24 and 72 hours. Solubility was evaluated by spectrophotometry within 48 and 144 hours. Antibacterial activity data were analyzed descriptively, and solubility data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Results: The MIC obtained for terpineol and cinnamaldehyde were, respectively, 2000 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL. After 24h, only the terpineol paste did not inhibit E. faecalis growth. After 72h, all groups inhibited E. faecalis growth. After 48h, the highest solubility was verified in the terpineol paste (p<0.05), and no differences were detected among other groups (p>0.05). After and 144h, highest solubility was observed in the terpineol paste (p<0.05), followed by the CTZ paste (p<0.05). No differences were detected for cinnamaldehyde, terpineol+cinnamaldehyde and chlorhexidine pastes (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pastes containing cinnamaldehyde or terpineol+cinnamaldehyde showed antibacterial activity against E. faecalis similar to CTZ paste, with lower solubility.