Minimum inhibitory concentration of adherence of Punica granatum Linn (pomegranate) gel against S. mutans, S. mitis and C. albicans

A Natural Approach to the Prevention and Treatment of Gingivitis and Periodontitis: A Review of Pomegranate's Bioactive Properties

(1) Background: This systematic review explores the bioactive properties of Punica granatum (pomegranate) and its potential applications in the prevention and treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and other oral diseases. (2) Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on pomegranate and oral diseases. Inclusion criteria included studies evaluating the effects of pomegranate on oral health, while exclusion criteria eliminated non-peer-reviewed and non-English articles. This review aims to assess the efficacy of pomegranate extracts as a natural alternative to synthetic pharmaceuticals in oral health care. A structured search strategy included key terms such as "pomegranate", "oral health", "gingivitis", and "periodontitis". A total of 125 relevant references were reviewed to identify the most pertinent findings. (3) Results: The results indicate that pomegranate extracts have demonstrated efficacy in reducing plaque, inhibiting harmful oral microorganisms, and promoting overall oral health. Furthermore, clinical studies highlight the potential of pomegranate-based products, such as mouthwashes and gels, as viable alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, the review also notes the need for further research, particularly in the form of clinical trials, to establish optimal formulations and long-term safety. (4) Conclusions: Pomegranate presents a promising, natural solution for preventing and treating gingivitis and periodontitis. Further studies should focus on long-term effects and clinical efficacy.

Effect of prepared herbal mouthwash in maintaining the oral health of school children: A single-blind randomised control trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Oral health is a vital indicator of overall well-being, quality of life, and general health, with historical roots in Unani medicine (i.e. preventive measures, oral hygiene, and treatment). This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of prepared herbal mouthwash in maintaining oral health among school children.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

110 schoolchildren were randomly assigned to the test group (treated with herbal mouthwash -Anacyclus pyrenthrum DC, Punica granutum (pericarp), Capparis spinosa (root bark), and Quercus infectoria Oliv (galls)) and the control group (treated with 0.2 % Chlorhexidine Mouthwash) for 30-days. The response was assessed by DMFT, Salivary pH, Oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), Plaque index (Loe & Silness) (PI), Plaque index simplified (O'Leary et al., 1972) (PI-S), Gingival Index (Löe-Silness) (GI), and Bleeding on probing (BOP) on baseline and 30th day GI and PI were further assessed on 60th, 90th and 120th days to determine the sustainable effect of the intervention.

RESULTS

After treatment, Mean OHI-S, PI, PI-S, GI and BOP significantly reduced on the 30th day from baseline (p ≤ 0.001) in both groups. After discontinuing intervention, both groups showed significantly lower PI and GI scores on the 120th day from baseline. (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that prepared mouthwash is safe and significantly effective in maintaining oral health, and it could be used as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene measures.

The Antimicrobial Potential of the Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Oral Streptococci

Plant extracts are in the focus of the pharmaceutical industry as potential antimicrobials for oral care due to their high antimicrobial activity coupled with low production costs and safety for eukaryotic cells. Here, we show that the extract from Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) exhibits antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci in both planktonic and biofilm-embedded forms. An extract was prepared by acetone extraction from hop infructescences, followed by purification and solubilization of the remaining fraction in ethanol. The effect of the extract on S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA) was comparable with the reference antibiotics (amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone) and did not depend on the bacterial resistance to methicillin. The extract also demonstrated synergy with amikacin on six S. aureus clinical isolates, on four of six isolates with ciprofloxacin, and on three of six isolates with ceftriaxone. On various Streptococci, while demonstrating lower antimicrobial activity, an extract exhibited a considerable synergistic effect in combination with two of three of these antibiotics, decreasing their MIC up to 512-fold. Moreover, the extract was able to penetrate S. aureus and S. mutans biofilms, leading to almost complete bacterial death within them. The thin-layer chromatography and LC-MS of the extract revealed the presence of prenylated flavonoids (2',4',6',4-tetrahydroxy-3'-geranylchalcone) and acylphloroglucides (cohumulone, colupulone, humulone, and lupulone), apparently responsible for the observed antimicrobial activity and ability to increase the efficiency of antibiotics. Taken together, these data suggest an extract from H. lupulus as a promising antimicrobial agent for use both as a solely antiseptic and to potentiate conventional antimicrobials.

Green synthesized cobalt nanoparticles from Trianthema portulacastrum L. as a novel antimicrobials and antioxidants

Trianthema portulacastrum is a dietary and medicinal plant that has gained substantial importance due to its pharmacological properties. This plant was used for its various healing properties since the ancient period in ayurvedic system of medicine. The green synthesis technique is an eco-friendly as well as cost effective technique which can produce more biocompatible nanoparticles when compared with those fabricated by physio-chemical methods. Therefore, nanoparticles produced by green synthesis are credible alternatives to those which are produced by conventional synthesis techniques. This research mainly aims to produce nanoparticles with the methanolic leaf extract of T. portulacastrum. The optimized nanoparticles were further analyzed for anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Disk diffusion assay was used for the determination of the antimicrobial property and on the other hand, DPPH radical scavenging assay as well as hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity proved the antioxidant property of the formulation. The study revealed that Escherichia coli (gram negative strain) shows greater zone of inhibition when compared with Bacillus subtilis (gram positive bacteria). The nanoparticles have also been reported to show significant anti-fungal activity against the strains of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum which proves its desirability for its further use against both bacterial as well as fungal infections. The novel formulation can be explored dually as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent.

Investigation of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Flowers' Antioxidant Properties and Antibacterial Activities against Different Staphylococcus Species Associated with Bovine Mastitis

Mastitis is one of the most considerable and costly diseases for dairy herds, and Staphylococcus spp. is known to be the main causative agent. Although antibiotics are widely used in the treatment of mastitis, this can cause both antibiotic residues in milk and the risk of antibiotic resistance occurrence in bacteria. Thus, in recent years, researchers have focused on alternative treatments for this disease and plants extracts are investigated for this purpose. Pomegranate is widely used as a dye, ornament, and medicinal plants in the industry, and the species has a particularly high economic value in Turkey. This study aims to investigate in vitro the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the pomegranate flower's extracts against different Staphylococcus species associated with bovine mastitis. To this aim, pomegranate flowers were collected from different regions in Turkey and extracts were prepared with three different solvents (methanol, ethanol, and water). The retention factor values of the ethanol extract were determined by thin-layer chromatography. The antibacterial activity tests were carried out via the disk diffusion method. In addition, the extracts were tested against the stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free radicals for antioxidant activity. Four retention factors (0.79, 0.67, 0.58, and 0.33 points) were found for the ethanol extract. The methanol extract showed the highest inhibition zones against coagulase-negative Staphylococcus-37 (CNS-37) and S. aureus-18. The lowest MIC was 6500 μg/mL. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in methanol extracts. As a result, the extracts of pomegranate flowers showed a high antioxidant and antibacterial potential against the examined mastitis pathogens.

Pomegranate Pomace Extract with Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, and Antiviral Activity Enhances the Quality of Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie

Valorizing the wastes of the food industry sector as additives in foods and beverages enhances human health and preserves the environment. In this study, pomegranate pomace (PP) was obtained from the company Schweppes and exposed to the production of polyphenols and fiber-enriched fractions, which were subsequently included in a strawberry-yogurt smoothie (SYS). The PP is rich in carbohydrates and fibers and has high water-absorption capacity (WAC) and oil-absorption capacity (OAC) values. The LC/MS phenolic profile of the PP extract indicated that punicalagin (199 g/L) was the main compound, followed by granatin B (60 g/L) and pedunculagin A (52 g/L). Because of the high phenolic content of PP extract, it (p ≤ 0.05) has high antioxidant activity with SC50 of 200 µg/mL, besides scavenging 95% of DPPH radicals compared to ascorbic acid (92%); consequently, it reduced lung cancer cell lines' viability to 86%, and increased caspase-3 activity. Additionally, it inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi i.e., L. monocytogenes, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, A. niger, and C. glabrata, in the 45-160 µg/mL concentration range while killing the tested isolates with 80-290 µg/mL concentrations. These isolates were selected based on the microbial count of spoiled smoothie samples and were identified at the gene level by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The interaction between Spike and ACE2 was inhibited by 75.6%. The PP extract at four levels (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.4 mg/mL) was added to strawberry-yogurt smoothie formulations. During 2 months storage at 4 °C, the pH values, vitamin C, and total sugars of all SYS decreased. However, the decreases were gradually mitigated in PP-SYS because of the high phenolic content in the PP extract compared to the control. The PP-SYS3 and PP-SYS4 scored higher in flavor, color, and texture than in other samples. In contrast, acidity, fat, and total soluble solids (TSS) increased at the end of the storage period. High fat and TSS content are observed in PP-SYS because of the high fiber content in PP. The PP extract (1.2 and 1.6 mg/mL) decreases the color differences and reduces harmful microbes in PP-SYS compared to the control. Using pomegranate pomace as a source of polyphenols and fiber in functional foods enhances SYS's physiochemical and sensory qualities.

Pomegranate Extract Potentiates the Anti-Demineralizing, Anti-Biofilm, and Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Non-Alcoholic Mouthwash When Associated with Sodium-Fluoride Trimetaphosphate

This study investigated the anti-caries and anti-inflammatory effects of mouthwash formulations containing Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel extract (PPE), sodium-trimetaphosphate, and low concentrations of fluoride. PPE was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (ellagic acid and punicalagin). Total phenolics were quantified among formulations, and their stability was analyzed for 28 days. The formulation effects were evaluated as follows: (1) inorganic component concentration and reduced demineralization on bovine enamel blocks subjected to pH cycling; (2) anti-biofilm effect on dual-biofilms of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 treated for 1 and 10 min, respectively; and (3) cytotoxicity and production of inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). The formulation containing 3% PPE, 0.3% sodium-trimetaphosphate, and 225 ppm of fluoride resulted in a 34.5% surface hardness loss; a 13% (treated for 1 min) and 36% (treated for 10 min) biofilm reduction in S. mutans; a 26% (1 min) and 36% (10 min) biofilm reduction in C. albicans; absence of cytotoxicity; and anti-inflammatory activity confirmed by decreased interleukin-6 production in mouse macrophages. Thus, our results provide a promising prospect for the development of an alcohol-free commercial dental product with the health benefits of P. granatum that have been recognized for a millennium.

Punica granatum as Anticandidal and Anti-HIV Agent: An HIV Oral Cavity Potential Drug

The oral cavity is crucial from diagnosis to adherence to HAART therapy in the HIV/AIDS population; consequently, drugs that can maintain healthy conditions in the oral cavity are necessary for patients with HIV/AIDS. Punica granatum (pomegranate) is a tree that has been employed extensively for centuries in the traditional medicine of ancient cultures for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including oral and dental diseases. In recent decades, its potent anticandidal properties have been shown, especially on Candida albicans, the cause of the most common clinical manifestation in HIV patients. The present work contributes to the review of the anti-HIV and anticandidal properties of the plant species P. granatum as involved with the oral cavity. The literature reviewed revealed that crude extracts of pomegranate and its main isolated compounds possess inhibitory activity on different HIV targets, including binding viral proteins and the three replicative HIV enzymes. In addition, in the literature reviewed, pomegranate exhibited anticandidal effects on 10 different species. Thus, pomegranate appears to be an excellent candidate to explore and incorporate into the treatment of the oral cavity of HIV/AIDS patients, in that, in addition to its pharmacological effects such as antiviral and anticandidal, pomegranate represents an easily available, inexpensive, and safe natural source.

Plants with Antimicrobial Activity Growing in Italy: A Pathogen-Driven Systematic Review for Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applications

Drug resistance threatening humans may be linked with antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance in other species, especially among farm animals and, more in general, in the entire environment. From this perspective, Green Veterinary Pharmacology was proven successful for the control of parasites in small ruminants and for the control of other pests such as varroa in bee farming. As in anthelmintic resistance, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the major challenges against the successful treatment of infectious diseases, and antimicrobials use in agriculture contributes to the spread of more AMR bacterial phenotypes, genes, and proteins. With this systematic review, we list Italian plants with documented antimicrobial activity against possible pathogenic microbes. Methods: The literature search included all the manuscripts published since 1990 in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using the keywords (i) "antimicrobial, plants, Italy"; (ii) "antibacterial, plant, Italy"; (iii) "essential oil, antibacterial, Italy"; (iv) "essential oil, antimicrobial, Italy"; (v) "methanol extract, antibacterial, Italy"; (vi) "methanol extract, antimicrobial, Italy". Results: In total, 105 manuscripts that documented the inhibitory effect of plants growing in Italy against bacteria were included. One hundred thirty-five plants were recorded as effective against Gram+ bacteria, and 88 against Gram-. This will provide a ready-to-use comprehensive tool to be further tested against the indicated list of pathogens and will suggest new alternative strategies against bacterial pathogens to be employed in Green Veterinary Pharmacology applications.

Effect of denture liners surface modification with Equisetum giganteum and Punica granatum on Candida albicans biofilm inhibition

Aim: This study investigated the effect of denture liners surface modification with Equisetum giganteum (EG) and Punica granatum (PG) on Candida albicans biofilm inhibition supposing its usage as a sustained-release therapeutical delivery system for Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Materials & methods: C. albicans biofilm (SC5314 or ATCC 90028) was formed on soft liners superficially modified by a primer mixed to drugs at minimum inhibitory concentrations (0.100 g for EG and PG or 0.016 g for nystatin per ml of primer). After 24 h, 7 or 14 days, antibiofilm activity was evaluated by colony-forming unit counts. Results: Not all groups were equi-efficient to nystatin after 24 h and 7 days. After 14 days, EG and PG efficacies were not different from nystatin (almost 100% inhibition). Conclusion: The proposed protocol presents a promising option to allopathic drugs for Candida-associated denture stomatitis treatment.

Study of antimicrobial activity of Unani poly herbal toothpaste "Sunoon Zard"

Objective

The present study was envisioned to develop Sunoon Zard a traditional Unani toothpowder into toothpaste form along with its physicochemical standardization and evaluation of anti microbial activity against oral pathogens by in vitro study.

Materials and methods

Herbal extracts based powder was redesigned to toothpaste as per the Pharmacopoeial guidelines and its pharmaceutical evaluation was conceded as per the Indian Government Tooth Paste Specifications. In vitro study was done to evaluate the antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion method against dental pathogens. Zone of Inhibition was taken as the end parameter against the test pathogens after appropriate incubation period. It was compared with Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) used as solvent (0.01%) as Negative control whereas Ciprofloxacin 5μg/disk (standard antibiotic for gram positive) and Gentamicin 10μg/disk (standard antibiotic for gram negative) were used as Positive control. All the experiment was done as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Guidelines in triplicates.

Results

Sunoon Zard was developed into toothpaste form and its physicochemical values were found to in consonance with the optimum values as mentioned in Bureau of Indian Standard. In vitro study of the Sunoon Zard toothpaste was found to be effective against various dental pathogens with specific sensitivity with good zone of inhibition towards gram negative bacterial strains viz. P.aeruginosa and K.pneuomoniae while among gram positive a significant inhibition was found against C.xerosis and S.viridans.

Conclusion

The developed toothpaste from classical Unani herbal tooth powder will provide the better patient compliance. Moreover its scientific screening which exhibited potential antibacterial activity in controlling pathogenic oral microflora compared to the standard drugs also revalidated the claim of Unani Physicians that the Sunoon Zard is quite effective in various oro-dental disorders.

Punica granatum as a Source of Natural Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agent: A Comprehensive Review on Related Investigations

BACKGROUND

The consumption of natural antioxidants is increasing due to the demand and tendency to natural foods. Punica granatum L. [Punicaceae] is a fruit with various bioactive ingredients. The effectiveness of this plant has been proved against various disorders such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, blood coagulation, infections, cancer, and dentistry. Among them, there are numerous researches on antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Subsequently, the present study aimed to compile a review of those properties to outline this herb as a possible natural antioxidant and preservative.

METHODS

Synchronically, keywords "Punica granatum" with antimicrobial, or antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and radical scavenging were searched through "Scopus" database up to 31st September 2019. Papers focusing on agriculture, genetics, chemistry, and environmental sciences were excluded, and also related papers were collected.

RESULTS

Among 201 papers focusing on related activities, 111 papers have dealt with antioxidant activities focusing based on DPPH assay, 59 with antibacterial, on both gram+ and gram- bacteria, 24 with antifungal effects, mostly on Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, and 7 papers with antiviral activities. There were about 50 papers focusing on in-vivo antioxidant activities of this plant.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, botanical parts of P. granatum have possessed notable radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities that, with these properties, this plant can be introduced as a natural, safe source of preservative and antioxidant. Accordingly, P. granatum can be applied as excipient with the aforementioned properties in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Comparison of antifungal efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Woodfordia fruticosa leaf and Punica granatum peel in uncontrolled diabetic patients wearing removable dentures: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The search for the development of a suitable novel antimicrobial agent for fungal diseases continues to be a key problem in the current clinical field. The present investigation was aimed to determine the antifungal effect of the ethanolic crude extracts of Woodfordia fruticosa leaf (Wfl) and Punica granatum peel (Pgp) in uncontrolled diabetic patients wearing removable dentures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethanolic extracts of both plants were prepared using the soxhlet extraction method, and the obtained metabolites were confirmed by thin- layer chromatography. After the preparation of the mouthwash, a total of 100 subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Each subject was given physiological saline at the baseline. Group I was provided with P. granatum mouthwash, while Group II was given W. fruticosa mouthwash. Following the administration of the mouthwash, the patients were requested to rinse the mouthwash using the oral rinse technique twice daily 5 ml/rinse for 30 sec. Subsequently, colony-forming units (CFU) were evaluated in the participants. Post-therapeutic samples were collected 1 h and 1 week after the mouthwash use.

RESULTS

The mean reduction of CFU was calculated at the baseline, as well as 1 h and 1 week after using mouthwash. The results indicated a drastic reduction in CFU 1 h and 1 week after the application of Wfl mouthwash.

CONCLUSION

The obtained data revealed that Wfl had potential anticandidal activity against Candida yeast cells, probably owing to its bioactive compounds like glycosides. Therefore, this agent can be used effectively as a natural remedy for the treatment of oral candidiasis. However, the exact mechanism of action of this plant needs to be elucidated.

Pomegranate as a source of bioactive constituents: a review on their characterization, properties and applications

Increasing awareness about the use of compounds obtained from natural sources exerting health-beneficial properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, led to increased number of research papers focusing on the study of functional properties of target compounds to be used as functional foods or in preventive medicine. Pomegranate has shown positive health properties due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. Punicalagin is the major antioxidant, abundantly found in pomegranate's peel. Research has shown that pomegranate polyphenols not only have a strong antioxidant capacity but they also inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria like V. cholera, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, and S. virulence factor, and inhibits fungi such as A. Ochraceus, and P. citrinum. Compounds of natural origin inhibit the growth of various pathogens by extending the shelf life of foodstuffs and assuring their safety. Therefore, the need to find compounds to be used in combination with antibiotics or as new antimicrobial sources, such as plant extracts. On the basis of the above discussion, this review focuses on the health benefits of pomegranate, by summarizing the current body of research focusing on pomegranate bioactive constituents and their therapeutic potential against some pathogenic microbes.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Articles Published in Brazilian Dental Journal over 30 years

This study assessed bibliometric characteristics of all articles published in Brazilian Dental Journal (BDJ) in its 30 years of existence (1990-2019) and factors associated with citation rates. A document search was carried out in Scopus in December, 2019 and information about the articles were exported, including citations. Type of study and main subject in each article were categorized. Number of citations was categorized in tertiles. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between variables related to articles' characteristics and number of citations. In 30 years, 1705 articles were published and 18507 citations received, with average 57 articles and 334 pages published yearly and 10.9 cites/doc. The most frequent types of study were laboratorial (63%), clinical (18.5%), and case reports (11%); the main subjects were dental materials (21.6%), endodontics (19.3%), and oral pathology/stomatology (13.1%). Most articles had origin in Brazil (90%), followed by USA (4.6%) and UK (1.5%). Aside from BDJ, Journal of Endodontics (3.5%) and International Endodontic Journal (2.2%) were journals that most often cited BDJ. Main origins of citations were Brazil (36.7%), USA (10.6%), and India (9%). Older articles had higher odds to be highly cited (12% increase/year), longer articles had lower odds (9% decrease/page). Narrative reviews and epidemiological studies were associated with more citations and systematic reviews with less citations. In conclusion, BDJ covered many subjects and study types in 30 years, showing increased growth in international audience. The journal may be regarded as one of the leading Brazilian journals in dentistry published in English.

The Contribution of the Brazilian Dental Journal to the Brazilian Scientific Research over 30 Years

The Brazilian Dental Journal (BDJ) was officially launched in 1990, stimulated by the courage and boldness of researchers dedicated to teaching and research in dentistry. The journal was conceived in a worldwide coverage and universal language to allow publication of the results of Brazilian studies, which otherwise would not be accessible to the scientific dental community. In the year we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of BDJ, this article presents a brief overview of Brazilian dental research and a bibliometric analysis of the articles published in this journal as a contribution to our readers and fellow researchers. The purpose was to identify the mot frequent categories of study, the most published areas of dentistry and BDJ's top 50 most-cited articles in the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. A search was performed on all BDJ online issues published from 1990 to 2019. In this period, BDJ published 1,710 articles. Based on their distribution by category of study, 557 articles were in the basic research/dental materials area, 527 in the basic research/biology area and 280 in the clinical research area. Eight articles were cited more than 100 times in the Scopus database and 266 times in the Google Scholar database. Endodontics was the most published area. This overview of BDJ production over those 30 years allows establishing a profile of the characteristics, impact and trends of the published studies, as well as the journal's contribution to the top 50 most-cited articles in the Scopus and Google Scholar databases.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of 20% Punica granatum, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite used alone or in combinations against Enterococcus faecalis: An in-vitro study

Objectives

The study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial efficacy of 20% Punica granatum, 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate, and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite used alone or in combinations against Enterococcus faecalis.

Materials and Methods

Aqueous extract of pomegranate peel was prepared in the Pharmacology Departmental Laboratory. A total of 240 wells were prepared (40 for each group) with 5 wells per with a diameter of 6 mm and depth of 4 mm at equidistant from each other. Using a pipette, each well was filled with 50 μl of the test irrigant solution. CHX (0.2%), 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, and aqueous extract of pomegranate peel and their combinations were tested as root canal irrigants against a standard strain of E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) on sheep blood agar plate by calculating the zones of inhibition. The mean diameter of zones was calculated and tabulated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. Descriptive statistics was obtained using SPSS software (version 11.5) with P established at < 0.05.

Results

Combination of Punica granatum with sodium hypochlorite and CHX showed maximum mean zones of inhibition with mean of 23.9 and 25.7 mm, respectively, and showed significantly better results than all other groups either irrigants used alone or in combinations.

Conclusions

Punica granatum and CHX was proved to be a very good combination among experimental groups against E. faecalis, and sodium hypochlorite was least effective against E. Faecalis.

Anthocyanins in the Management of Metabolic Syndrome: A Pharmacological and Biopharmaceutical Review

The term "metabolic syndrome" (MetS) refers to a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The origin of MetS includes a combination of multiple factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet choice, and genetic factors. MetS is highly prevalent and adversely affects the general population by elevating risk of cardiovascular complications, organ failure, and much other pathology associated with late-stage diabetes. Anthocyanins (ANTs) are health-promoting bioactive compounds belonging to the flavonoids subclass of polyphenols. Numerous studies have reported the potential therapeutic benefits on MetS syndrome and diabetes from fruits rich in ANTs. This review summarizes the role of several dietary ANTs on preventing and managing MetS as well as the pharmacological mechanisms and biopharmaceutical features of their action. We also discuss potential nanoformulation and encapsulation approaches that may enhance the bioefficacy of ANTs in MetS. Experiments have demonstrated that ANTs may attenuate the symptoms of MetS via improving insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia, cholesterol levels, hypertension, blood glucose, protecting β cells, and preventing free radical production. In brief, the intake of ANT-rich supplements should be considered due to their plausible ability for prevention and management of MetS. Additionally, randomized double-blind clinical trials are obligatory for evaluating the bioefficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of ANTs and their pharmaceutical formulations in patients with MetS.

Anti-microbial Activity of Aqueous Quercus infectoria Gall Extract against Pathogenic Leptospira

Background

Quercus infectoria gall extract is known to have broad spectrum anti-microbial activity in vitro. This study was conducted to determine the anti-microbial activity of Q. infectoria gall extract against pathogenic Leptospira and to evaluate the morphological changes of extract-treated cells using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Methods

A two-fold serial microdilution broth assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous Q. infectoria gall extract against the L. interrogans serovar Javanica and the L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, at concentrations ranging from 4.00 mg/mL to 0.0078 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by sub-culturing the broth from the microtiter plate wells that showed no apparent growth or turbidity to the freshly prepared Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) broth media, and it was subsequently observed under a dark field microscope following three weeks of incubation for purposes of growth detection. The cell morphology of both extract-treated and untreated L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorhagiae was analysed using the SEM.

Results

The results of the broth microdilution assay demonstrate that the aqueous Q. infectoria gall extract possesses anti-microbial activity against both of the L. interrogans serovars with MIC values of 0.125 mg/mL. The MBC values for the L. interrogans serovar Javanica and the L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorhagiae are 0.125 mg/mL and 0.250 mg/mL, respectively. The SEM micrograph shows changes in shape and size of the extract-treated cells (at 8× MIC) in comparison to the untreated cells.

Conclusion

The Q. infectoria gall extract displays anti-microbial inhibition and killing activity against the pathogenic Leptospira isolates, and thus has the potential for further exploration of its efficacy and use in the treatment of leptospirosis.

Phenolic compounds as beneficial phytochemicals in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel: A review

Pomegranate peel (PoP), a juice byproduct often considered as a waste, comprises nearly around 30-40% portion of the fruit. Phenolic compounds (one class of bioactive phytochemicals) are primarily concentrated in the peel portion of pomegranate fruit. In PoP, the main phenolic compounds reported in the literature include flavonoids (anthocyanins such as pelargonidin, delphinidin, cyanidin along with their derivatives and anthoxanthins such as catechin, epicatechin and quercetin), tannins (ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives such as punicalagin, punicalin and pedunculagin) and phenolic acids (such as chlorogenic, caffeic, syringic, sinapic, p-coumaric, ferulic, ellagic, gallic and cinnamic acid). It is generally accepted that phenolic compounds can be more efficiently recovered from PoP by improving the extraction efficiency. The curative relevance of these compounds has been mainly assessed by in vitro experimentation. Therefore, conclusive clinical trials of the phenolic compounds present in PoP are essential for correct validation of their health benefits.

Antimicrobial activity of denture adhesive associated with Equisetum giganteum- and Punica granatum-enriched fractions against Candida albicans biofilms on acrylic resin surfaces

Candida biofilms adhere to the internal surface of removable dentures, which is an etiological factor in the pathogenesis of denture stomatitis (DS). Adhesive materials are used at the base of maxillary complete dentures to improve their retention and chewing qualities. This article reports the antimicrobial activity of the enriched fractions of Equisetum giganteum and Punica granatum incorporated into a denture adhesive against C. albicans biofilm. The biofilms were induced on the surface of heat-cured acrylic resin specimens that were previously treated with a mixture of adhesive/herb extracts. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by CFU counts, XTT reduction, and SEM and CLSM analysis. Both herb extracts amplified the anti-biofilm action of the adhesive on the acrylic resin by up to 12 h. Therefore, when these extracts were combined with COREGA®, they played a collaborative and innovative role in biofilm control and can be considered alternatives for temporary use in the treatment and/or prevention of DS.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Three Selected Fruit Juices on Clinical Endodontic Bacterial Strains

INTRODUCTION

The increasing problem of antibiotic drug resistance by pathogenic microorganisms in the past few decades has recently led to the continuous exploration of natural plant products for new antibiotic agents. Many consumable food materials have good as well as their bad effects, good effect includes their antibacterial effects on different microorganisms present in the oral cavity. Recently, natural products have been evaluated as source of antimicrobial agent with efficacies against a variety of microorganisms.

METHODOLOGY

The present study describes the antibacterial activity of three selected fruit juices (Apple, Pomegranate and Grape) on endodontic bacterial strains. Antimicrobial activity of fruit juices were tested by wel l diffusion assay by an inhibition zone surrounding the well. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of three fruit juises on different endodontic strains.

RESULT

Agar well diffusion method was adopted for determining antibacterial potency. Antibacterial activity present on the plates was indicated by an inhibition zone surrounding the well containing the fruit juice. The zone of inhibition was measured by measuring scale in millimeter. Comparision between antibacterial efficacy of all three fruit juices against Enterococcus feacalis and Streptococcus mutans was observed with significant value of P ≤ 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained in this study clearly demonstrated a significant antimicrobial effect of apple fruit juice against Enterococcus fecalis and Streptococcus mutans. However, preclinical and clinical trials are needed to evaluate biocompatibility & safety before apple can conclusively be recommended in endodontic therapy, but in vitro observation of apple effectiveness appears promising.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Pomegranate Juice and Peel Extracts on Cariogenic Bacteria

AIM

To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel and juice, against the microorganisms considered the main etiologic agents of dental caries.

METHODS

The values of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined against Streptococcus mutans Clarke ATCC® 25175™ strain and Rothia dentocariosa clinical isolate.

RESULTS

Peel extracts inhibit effectively the growth and survival of S. mutans ATCC 25175 strain and R. dentocariosa clinical isolate with MIC and MBC values of 10 μg/μl and 15 μg/μl, respectively. Furthermore, the pomegranate juice extract showed high inhibitory activity against S. mutans ATCC 25175 strain with a MIC value of 25 μg/μl and a MBC value of 40 μg/μl, whereas, against R. dentocariosa, it has displayed a moderate inhibitory activity, with MIC and MBC values of 20 μg/μl and 140 μg/μl, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In vitro microbiological tests demonstrate that the hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate juice and peel are able to contrast the main cariogenic bacteria involved in tooth decay. Although being preliminary data, our results suggest that pomegranate polyphenolic compounds could represent a good adjuvant for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Antibacterial Inhibitory Effects of Punica Granatum Gel on Cariogenic Bacteria: An in vitro Study

AIM

This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial effects of the formulated Punica granatum (PG) gel against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Lactobacillus casei.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PG extract was dissolved in water at 500 mg/mL. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for identification and quantification of chemical marker punicalagin. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill assay (TKA) were investigated. Antibacterial activities of the formulated PG gel, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel and blank gel were tested by measuring the zones of inhibition through agar well diffusion method.

RESULTS

The HPLC results showed presence of punicalagin at 2023.58 ± 25.29 pg/mL in the aqueous PG extract and at 0.234% (w/w) in the formulated PG gel. The MBC for S. mutans, S. Sanguinis, and L. casei were 250, 125, and 500 mg/mL respectively. The TKA of 500 mg/mL aqueous PG extract showed total inhibition of S. mutans, S. Sanguinis, and L. casei at 6, 1, and 24 hours contact time respectively. Agar well diffusion revealed that for S. mutans, CHX gel > PG gel > blank gel; for S. sanguinis, CHX gel = PG gel > blank gel; for L. casei, CHX gel > PG gel = blank gel. Comparison of the PG gel potency showed that S. sanguinis = S. mutans > L. casei.

CONCLUSION

The PG gel equivalent to 0.234% punicalagin (w/w) inhibited S. mutans and S. sanguinis but not L. casei within 24 hours incubation period and has the potential to be used for caries prevention.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Millo G, Juntavee A, Ratanathongkam A, Nualkaew N, Peerapattana J, Chatchiwiwattana S. Antibacterial Inhibitory Effects of Punica Granatum Gel on Cariogenic Bacteria: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(2):152-157.

"Rhetoric to Reality"- Efficacy of Punica Granatum Peel Extract on Oral Candidiasis: An in vitro Study

INTRODUCTION

Global usage of synthetic drugs inadvertently has resulted in deleterious effects and antimicrobial resistance. Phytoextarcts with therapeutic properties appear to be appropriate substitutes for synthetic drugs. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) is a fruit rich in nutraceuticals and therapeutic properties that has lead to its widespread use as folk-medicine for treating innumerable diseases.

AIM

To determine the in vitro antifungal efficacy of Punica granatum peel extract against the oral Candida compared with clotrimazole.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An in vitro study was carried out on 60 saliva samples collected from patients confirmed by clinical and mycological examination as oral candidiasis and subjected to culture on Saborauds Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium and incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. The cultured Candida species were subjected to antifungal susceptibility test by agar well diffusion method. Punica granatum peel extract (Group-I), Ethanol (Group-II Negative control), Clotrimazole (Group-III-Positive control) were inoculated in wells and incubated. Zones of inhibitions were measured with a digital Vernier's callipers and subjected to statistical analysis. ANOVA (analysis of variance) was performed to compare inhibition zones and concentrations of all the three groups.

RESULTS

Antifungal efficacy of Punica granatum group and Clotrimazole group were statistically significant with p-value <0.05. Additionally, with the increase in the concentration there was an increase in the inhibitory efficacy against Candida species. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of peel extract of Punica granatum approximated with that of the clotrimazole.

CONCLUSION

The present research was just a venture to usual clinical approach. The results of the study reveal that MIC of peel extract of Punica granatum approximated with that of the clotrimazole. Hence, peel extract of Punica granatum may be used as a substitute for antifungal agents in clinical trials with standardization so as to minimize the deleterious effects for patient compliance.

Antimicrobial activity of pomegranate peel extracts as affected by cultivar

BACKGROUND

Some studies have reported that different parts of the pomegranate fruit, especially the peel, may act as potential antimicrobial agents and thus might be proposed as a safe natural alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents. The high tannin content, especially punicalagin, found in pomegranate extracts, has been reported as the main compound responsible for such antimicrobial activity. Because the pomegranate peel chemical composition may vary with the type of cultivar (sweet, sour-sweet and sour), pomegranates may also differ with respect to their antimicrobial capacity.

RESULTS

The extract from PTO8 pomegranate cultivar peel had the highest antimicrobial activity, as well as the highest punicalagins (α and β) and ellagic acid concentrations. In the results obtained from both antibacterial and antifungal activity studies, the sour-sweet pomegranate cultivar PTO8 showed the best antimicrobial activity, and the highest ellagic acid concentrations.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggest that ellagic acid content has a significant influence on the antimicrobial activity of the pomegranate extracts investigated. The pomegranate peel of the PTO8 cultivar is a good source of antifungal and antibacterial compounds, and may represent an alternative to antimicrobial agents of synthetic origin. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Punica granatum Linn. prevention of oral candidiasis in patients undergoing anticancer treatment

Abstract Introduction Oral candidiasis is considered one of the complications of antineoplastic therapy of head and neck. Studies show that herbal medicine has proven to be a promising alternative for the treatment of candidiasis. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the gel Punica granatum Linn. in the prevention of oral candidiasis in patients undergoing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and adverse effects associated with its use. Material and method It was performed a clinical trial, double blind, in the period 2012-2013, with patients seen at a referral hospital for cancer treatment. The sample consisted of 17 patients who did not have signs nor symptoms of oral candidiasis. These patients were divided into two groups: experimental (n=11): composed of patients who used the gel Punica granatum Linn. 6.25% since the beginning of the anticancer treatment and completed a week after the end of the treatment regimen; control (n=6): for patients who used the gel Miconazol 2%, following the same guidelines of the previous group. Data were tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and calculation of continuing Yates correction (p<0.05). Result There was no oral candidiasis in 63.6% of patients in the experimental group and in none of the control group patients. Conclusion Most patients who used the experimental gel showed no clinical signs of fungal infection, and there was no association of adverse effects.

Anti-microbial Efficacy of Soursop Leaf Extract (Annona muricata) on Oral Pathogens: An In-vitro Study

INTRODUCTION

Annona muricata also called as Soursop is a, flowering evergreen tree native to Mexico, Cuba, Central America and parts of India. The miracle tree as it is widely known as a natural cancer killer that is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Based on these miraculous claims, the leaves of these plants were used as an extract at varying concentrations as an antibacterial agent against oral pathogens.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess antimicrobial efficacy of Soursop leaf extarct (Annona muricata) on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Candida albicans using disc diffusion method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extracts of Annona muricata leaves of concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were prepared. The anti-microbial efficacy was evaluated using disc diffusion method against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Candida albicans on agar plates.

RESULTS

All concentrations of extracts were effective on the microbiota except for the P. Intermedia. The Soursop extract was highly effective on Candida species, with all concentrations exhibiting bactericidal and fungicidal property. The extracts at different concentration were effective when compared to the gold standard controls and the effect was statistically significant (p<0.05). Data obtained was analysed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test.

CONCLUSION

The Soursop extracts were efficient for all test organisms expect P. intermedia. The present study demonstrated the in-vitro efficacy of Soursop was highest against S. mutans followed by C. albicans and least on P. intermedia. Hence, this study proves to an extent that the Soursop extract when used against oral microbiota has sufficient anti-microbial and fungicidal property.

Is pomegranate peels infusion effective for disinfection of toothbrushes?

Abstract Introduction Methods of decontamination or sanitization of toothbrushes have been questioned. Objective This study assessed the effectiveness of pomegranate peels infusion as a disinfectant of toothbrushes against Streptococcus mutans. Material and method A sample of 16 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 9 years performed brushing 5 days/week, with a careful brushing once a day. After each day of brushing, the toothbrushes were washed and sprayed with one disinfectant solution. This procedure was repeated for 4 weeks using one of the different solutions per week: distilled water (G1; negative control), pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) peels infusion (G2), 1% sodium hypochlorite (G3) and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (G4). After the fifth day, toothbrushes were collected for laboratory analysis. Toothbrushes heads were subjected to agitation in saline dilution of 10–1, 10–2,10–3, and 25 μL of each dilution were seeded in mitis salivarius agar culture medium for S. mutans colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. One calibrated examiner (Kappa = 0.91) performed the CFU (mL–1 × 104) counts. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn Multiple Comparison tests were used at a significance level of 5%. Result G1 presented the highest number of CFU (3.9 ± 8.4), followed by G2 (3.2 ± 4.0). No S. mutans growth was observed in G3 and G4. There was no statistically significant difference between G1 and G2 and between G3 and G4 (p>0.05). Conclusion Pomegranate infusion was completely ineffective for the disinfection of toothbrushes against S. mutans when compared with 1% sodium hypochlorite and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solutions.

Effect of Punica granatum on the virulence factors of cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans

Dental caries is caused by acids produced by biofilm-forming Streptococcus mutans from fermentable carbohydrates and bacterial byproducts. Control of these bacteria is important in the prevention of dental caries. This study investigated the effect of the fruit peel of Punica granatum on biofilm formation, acid and extracellular polysaccharides production (EPS) by S. mutans. Pomegranate fruit peels crude extracts were prepared. The Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined against S. mutans. At 3 sub-bactericidal concentrations, the effect on the acid production, biofilm formation and EPS production was determined. The results were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests. The lowest MBC was 6.25 mg/mL. Punica granatum significantly inhibited acid production (p < 0.01). After 6 and 24 h, it significantly reduced biofilm-formation by 91% and 65% respectively (p < 0.01). The plant extract did not inhibit the production of soluble EPS in either the biofilm or the planktonic growth. However, it significantly reduced the insoluble EPS in the biofilm and the plantktonic (p = < 0.01) form of S. mutans. The crude extract of P. granatum killed cariogenic S. mutans at high concentrations. At sub-bactericidal concentrations, it reduced biofilm formation, acid and EPS production. This suggests that P. granatum extract has the potential to prevent dental caries.

The effect of pomegranate mouthrinse on Streptococcus mutans count and salivary pH: An in vivo study

Herbal mouthwashes have been considered to be a more advantageous option to their chemical counterparts, for a long-time. The use of pomegranate fruit dates from ancient times and reports of its therapeutic abilities have echoed throughout the ages. To evaluate the effect on the salivary pH and the Streptococcus mutans count in healthy subjects before and after pomegranate mouthrinse. Fifty healthy patients were randomly divided into two groups of 25 subjects each. Group A was treated with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse; while Group B was treated with pomegranate peel extract (PPE) mouthrinse and the saliva samples were collected at three different intervals: Prerinse, after 10 min, and 60 min. The salivary pH was measured using a digital pH meter and the S. mutans count was determined by the commercial system Dentocult SM. The statistical analyses used in this study are Mann–Whitney U-test and t-test. PPE mouthrinse had an inhibitory effect on S. mutans count in adults. There was also an increase in the salivary pH after 10 min of the mouthrinse. PPE mouthrinse may be considered as a potential anticariogenic mouthrinse.

Antibacterial Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Punica granatum Linn. Petal on Common Oral Microorganisms

Objectives. This study aimed to assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum Linn. (P. granatum) petal on Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods. In this in vitro study, P. granatum extract was prepared using powdered petals and water-ethanol solvent. Antibacterial effect of the extract, chlorhexidine (CHX), and ampicillin was evaluated on brain heart infusion agar (BHIA) using the cup-plate method. By assessing the diameter of the growth inhibition zone, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract were determined for the above-mentioned bacteria. Results. Hydroalcoholic extract of P. granatum petal had inhibitory effects on the proliferation of all five bacterial strains with maximum effect on S. mutans with MIC and MBC of 3.9 mg/mL. The largest growth inhibition zone diameter belonged to S. sanguinis and the smallest to E. faecalis. Ampicillin and CHX had the greatest inhibitory effect on S. sanguinis. Conclusions. Hydroalcoholic extract of P. granatum had a significant antibacterial effect on common oral bacterial pathogens with maximum effect on S. mutans, which is the main microorganism responsible for dental plaque and caries.

The Beneficial Effect of Equisetum giganteum L. against Candida Biofilm Formation: New Approaches to Denture Stomatitis

Equisetum giganteum L. (E. giganteum), Equisetaceae, commonly called “giant horsetail,” is an endemic plant of Central and South America and is used in traditional medicine as diuretic and hemostatic in urinary disorders and in inflammatory conditions among other applications. The chemical composition of the extract EtOH 70% of E. giganteum has shown a clear presence of phenolic compounds derived from caffeic and ferulic acids and flavonoid heterosides derived from quercitin and kaempferol, in addition to styrylpyrones. E. giganteum, mainly at the highest concentrations, showed antimicrobial activity against the relevant microorganisms tested: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. It also demonstrated antiadherent activity on C. albicans biofilms in an experimental model that is similar to dentures. Moreover, all concentrations tested showed anti-inflammatory activity. The extract did not show cytotoxicity in contact with human cells. These properties might qualify E. giganteum extract to be a promising alternative for the topic treatment and prevention of oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of methanolic Crinum jagus bulb extract in wound healing

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of Crinum jagus (J. Thomps.) Dandy methanolic bulb extract in wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and saponins in the extract. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the extract was determined by agar well diffusion method. In vivo antimicrobial activity of the extract was determined by microbial assay of excision wound in rats contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas areuginosa, and Candida albicans and treated with 300 mg/kg body weight (bw) of 10 and 5% methanolic C. jagus bulb extract ointment (MCJBEO), respectively. Enzymatic antioxidant effect of the extract was determined in vivo by assaying superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in excision wound biopsies of rats treated with 10 and 5% MCJBEO, respectively, following standard methods. Non-enzymatic antioxidant effect of the extract was determined in vitro using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method following standard procedure.

RESULTS

The extract exhibited in vitro antimicrobial effect in a concentration-dependent manner with one hundred (100) mg/ml concentration of the extract having the highest inhibitory zone diameter for B. subtilis (25 mm), S. aureus (21 mm), and C. albicans (14 mm) followed by the 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/ml concentrations, respectively. B. subtilis, S. aureus, and C. albicans were not isolated from wounds of animals treated with both extract concentrations 10% and 5% MCJBEO, and reference drug (framycetin sulfate/clotrimazole). Activities of the enzymatic antioxidants SOD and CAT in wound biopsies treated with 10% MCJBEO were significantly (P < 0.05) higher when compared with those treated with 5% MCJBEO. Significantly (P < 0.05) decreased MDA level of wound biopsies from extract-treated rats was observed. The extract exhibited non-enzymatic antioxidant (DPPH) effect in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that an anti-microbial and antioxidant effects could possibly be part of mechanism by which C. jagus bulb extract promote wound healing process.

Plant species used in dental diseases: ethnopharmacology aspects and antimicrobial activity evaluation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ethnopharmacological surveys show that several plant species are used empirically by the population, in oral diseases. However, it is necessary to check the properties of these plant species.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans from plant species selected in a previous ethnopharmacology study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted with users of a dental clinic school services, located in Sao Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, aiming to identify plant species used in oral diseases treatment. From the ethnopharmacological survey, species were selected for in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation against Streptococcus mutans, by agar diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy one people participated in the research: 55.7% reported the use of plants for medicinal purposes, 29.5% of which have knowledge and/or use plants for some type of oral disease. Thirty four species belonging to 24 (twenty four) botanical families were reported, being Aloe vera L., Anacardium occidentale L., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Punica granatum L. the most cited. The most commonly reported indications were healing after tooth extraction, followed by toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums., The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) demonstrated that Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed similar activity to 0.12% chlorhexidine, used as positive control.

CONCLUSION

That result is important to follow up the study of these species in the search for new anticariogenic agents originated by plants.