[Antimicrobial effects of propolis extract on the most prevalent oral pathogens: an in vitro study]

Topical and systemic antimicrobials are widely used in dental practice. Likewise, antimicrobials may be used in order to reduce the count of oral pathogens before oral surgery in immune compromised patients or other high risk patients as well. Propolis is a wax- or resin-like substance that is collected by bees from fresh flowers, or other botanical sources, and used to reinforce the structural stability of the hive, acting as a barrier in preventing diseases and parasites from entering the hive. Given that there are differences in Propolis property produced around the world, the aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effects of the Propolis produced in Hamedan province, Iran, with Nystatin [antifiingal drug] and Chlorhexidine [antibacterial mouthwash]. By using whole technique, the antimicrobial effect of 30% ethanol extract of Propolis was demonstrated against S. mutans, C. albicans and A.a.commitans. The antimicrobial effects of Ethanol-extract of Propolis and Chlorhexidine solution were evaluated at eight different times against S.mutans, C.albicans and A.a.commitans. The 70° ethanol was used as control. The microorganisms under investigation in this study revealed close susceptibility to various concentrations of Propolis extract, and the complete clear zones revealed remarkable effect. For other bacteria, different degrees of susceptibility to Propolis were observed. Based on these findings we may conclude that 30% ethanol extract of Propolis is very effective on oral pathogenic microorganisms [such as Streptococcus mutants, Candida albicans and Actinobacillus a. commitans]

Essential oil constituents of Chimonanthus fragrans flowers population of Tehran

Chimonanthus fragrans Lindle [Calycanthaceae] is an aromatic plant which little information has been reported so far on the composition of its essential oil. In this study the essential oil of flower of this plant was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty nine components were identified corresponding to ca. 98.12% of the total components of the essential oil with 0.12% yield. The major components were elemol [20.06%], beta-caryophyllene [9.51%], beta-elemene [8.65%], bicyclogermacrene [8.15%], gamma-elemene [7.2%], germacrene-D [5.65%], trans-beta-ocimene [5.5%], sabinene [3.65%], linalool [2.6%], caryophyllene oxide [2.3%], and delta-cadinene [1.95%]. Comparison of the data of this study with other data including recent report by HS-SPME-GC-MS showed quantitative and qualitative differences due to geographical, agricultural, and technical factors