Antibacterial Activity of Homeopathic Medications Lycopodium clavatum and Arsenicum album Against Periodontal Bacteria / Evaluación antibacteriana de los medicamentos homeopáticos sobre bacterias periodontales

Abstract There are several controversies regarding the efficacy of homeopathic substances; however, these remedies are used in many countries for the treatment of various pathological conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of two homeopathic tinctures Arsenicum album (mineral extract) and Lycopodium clavatum (plant extract) on the periodontal bacteria Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus sanguinis, Prevotella intermedia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Phorphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Materials and methods: Equal numbers of bacteria were seeded on agar plates containing enriched media with the homeopathic solutions at 1dH and 1cH dilutions. After 7 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions, colony forming units (CFUs) were counted. The antibacterial effect was calculated based on the total number of CFUs observed on non-tincture containing agar, and on the tincture containing plates. Results: No visible growth of any of the strains was observed on the plates containing Arsenicum album at any of the dilutions tested. In contrast, when Lycopodium clavatum at 1cH dilution was tested, only P. gingivalis was susceptible to this compound. Conclusions: The results suggest that the mineral extract tincture had a greater antibacterial activity than the plant extract tincture, also Lycopodium clavatum preparation could be an effective inhibitor of periodontal pathogens bacteria such as P. gingivalis.

Resumen Se necesita un mayor número de estudios in vitro e in vivo para validar estos resultados.

The effects of different restorative materials on periodontopathogens in combined restorative-periodontal treatment

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between subgingival restorations and the target periodontopathogenic bacteria (Pg, Td and Pi) in subgingival biofilm during one year after combined restorative-periodontal treatment. Material and Methods Seventeen systemically healthy subjects, who were positive for the presence of three cervical lesions associated with gingival recessions in three different adjacent teeth, were included in the study. A total of 51 combined defects were treated with connective tissue graft plus a nanofilled composite resin (NCR+CTG), a resin-modified glass ionemer cement (RMGI+CTG) and a fluoride-releasing resin material with pre-reacted glass (PRG), called giomer (Giomer+CTG). Periodontal clinical measurements and subgingival plaque samples were obtained from all combined defects at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. The number of bacteria were evaluated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. Results No statistically significant difference in the amount of DNA copies of Pg, Td and Pi was observed in any of the groups at any time points (p>0.05). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the amount of DNA copies of the bacteria at baseline and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, regardless of treatment group (p>0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that subgingivally placed NCR, RMGI and giomer restorations can show similar effects on periodontopathogenic bacteria in the treatment of gingival recessions that are associated with noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

Genome sequence of Prevotella intermedia SUNY aB G8-9K-3, a biofilm forming strain with drug-resistance

Abstract Prevotella intermedia has long been known to be as the principal etiologic agent of periodontal diseases and associated with various systemic diseases. Previous studies showed that the intra-species difference exists in capacity of biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and serological reaction among P. intermedia strains. Here we report the genome sequence of P. intermedia SUNY aB G8-9K-3 (designated ATCC49046) that displays a relatively high antimicrobial resistant and biofilm-forming capacity. Genome sequencing information provides important clues in understanding the genetic bases of phenotypic differences among P. intermedia strains.

Antimicrobial effect and pH of chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide alone and associated with other materials

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 percent chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate gel, calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and their combination with iodoform and zinc oxide powder as intracanal medications against select microorganisms, and to measure the pH changes caused by these medications. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. The zones of growth inhibition were measured and the results were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). The pH of the pastes was measured right after preparation, after 24 h and 1 week later. The largest mean zones of microbial inhibition were produced by 2 percent CHX gel, followed by Ca(OH)2 + 2 percent CHX gel + iodoform, Ca(OH)2 + 2 percent CHX gel, Ca(OH)2 + 2 percent CHX gel + zinc oxide, and Ca(OH)2 + water. The mean pH of all medications stayed above 12.0 during the whole experiment, except for CHX gel (pH=7.0). The results of this study showed that all medications had antimicrobial activity, but the most effective against the tested microorganisms were 2 percent CHX gel, followed by its combination with Ca(OH)2 and iodoform.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar, in vitro, a efetividade antimicrobiana da clorexidina gel 2 por cento (CHX) e hidróxido de cálcio, isoladamente e associados com iodofórmio e pó de óxido de zinco como medicamentos intracanais frente a microrganismos e medidos pHs das diferentes medicações. A atividade antimicrobiana foi determinada pelo método de difusão em ágar. As áreas de inibição de crescimento foram medidas e os resultados estatisticamente analisados utilizando-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p<0,05). O pH das pastas foi mensurado após a manipulação, após 24 h e após uma semana. Os resultados mostraram que a maior zona de inibição foi da CHX gel 2 por cento, seguida pelo Ca(OH)2 + 2 por cento CHX gel, Ca(OH)2 + 2 por cento CHX gel + iodofórmio, Ca(OH)2 + 2 por cento CHX gel +óxido de zinco, Ca(OH)2 + água. A média de pH de todos os medicamentos intracanais foi de 12 durante todo o experimento, exceto com CHX gel 2 por cento (pH=7,0). Estes resultados permitiram concluir que todos os medicamentos tiveram atividade antimicrobiana, no entanto, a maior foi da CHX gel 2 por cento, seguido da associação com o Ca(OH)2. e iodofórmio.

Comparative study of the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine gel, chlorhexidine solution and sodium hypochlorite as endodontic irrigants

The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate gel as an endodontic auxiliary chemical substance compared to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine gluconate solution. The antimicrobial efficacy of the tested substances was evaluated using the agar diffusion test. The growth inhibition zones produced by 0.2 percent, 1 percent and 2 percent chlorhexidine gel were evaluated against 5 facultative anaerobic bacteria and 4 pigmented Gram-negative anaerobes, and compared to the results obtained by NaOCl and chlorhexidine solution. The largest growth inhibition zones were produced when the test bacteria were in contact with 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate gel (11.79 mm), being significantly different (p<0.05) from the growth inhibition zones produced by all NaOClconcentrations, including 5.25 percent (9.54 mm). However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the growth inhibition zones obtained with equal concentrations of chlorhexidine solution and gel. The results of this study indicate that, as far as its antimicrobial properties are concerned, chlorhexidine gel has a great potential to be used as an endodontic auxiliary chemical substance.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in vitro a atividade antimicrobiana do gluconato de clorexidina gel, como irrigante endodôntico, comparando-o ao hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) e ao gluconato de clorexidina líquido. A atividade antimicrobiana das substâncias testadas foi avaliada pelo teste de difusão em ágar. As zonas de inibição de crescimento bacteriano produzidas pela clorexidina gel a 0,2 por cento; 1 por cento e 2 por cento foram observados frente a 5 espécies de bactérias anaeróbias facultativas e 4 espécies de anaeróbios estritos, Gram-negativos e produtores de pigmento negro; e comparados com os resultados obtidos pelo NaOCl e pela clorexidina líquida. As maiores zonas de inibição foram produzidas quando as bactérias testadas ficaram em contato com a clorexidina a 2 por cento em gel (11,79 mm), apresentando diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) quando comparados às zonas de inibição de crescimento bacteriano produzidas por todas as concentrações avaliadas de NaOCl, incluindo 5,25 por cento (9,54 mm). No entanto, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p>0,05) comparando as zonas produzidas por concentrações equivalentes de clorexidina líquida ou gel. Os resultados indicaram que a clorexidina em gel tem grande potencial para ser usada como substância química auxiliar quanto às suas propriedades antimicrobianas.