The enantiomers (R)-(+)-β-citronellol and (S)-(−)-β-citronellol are present in many medicinal plants, but little is understood about their bioactivity against Candida yeasts. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of positive and negative enantiomers of β-citronellol on strains of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis involved in candidemia. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined. The evaluation of growth kinetics, mechanism of action, and association studies with Amphotericin B (AB) using the checkerboard method was also performed. R-(+)-β-citronellol and S-(−)-β-citronellol presented a MIC50% of 64 µg/mL and a MFC50% of 256 µg/mL for C. albicans strains. For C. tropicalis, the isomers exhibited a MIC50% of 256 µg/mL and a MFC50% of 1024 µg/mL. In the mechanism of action assay, both substances displayed an effect on the fungal membrane but not on the fungal cell wall. Synergism and indifference were observed in the association of R-(+)-β-citronellol and AB, while the association between S-(−)-β-citronellol and AB displayed synergism, additivity, and indifference. In conclusion, both isomers of β-citronellol presented a similar profile of antifungal activity. Hence, they can be contemplated in the development of new antifungal drugs providing that further research is conducted about their pharmacology and toxicity.

There is a constant search for drugs to fight infections effectively. Herbal medicines are presented as options that, in addition to having great therapeutic potential, generally have low cost. Literature data show that rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has antimicrobial activity. Thus, the objective of this work was, through the existing literature, to verify whether R. officinalis has therapeutic and antimicrobial properties in pathological conditions of the oral cavity, and can be used for treatments of mouth infections. In the present review, the databases used for screening were: Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO) and PubMED, using the following descriptors: "Rosemary" "Rosmarinus officinalis", "Antimicrobial action", "application in Dentistry", “Phytotherapy in Dentistry”, isolated or in combination, in Portuguese and English. The studies were analyzed according to the year of publication, publication period and results found. Among the researches evaluated, only 3 did not show significant results regarding their antimicrobial action. In other studies, it was found to be effective against fungi, bacteria, viral agents and to inhibit the formation of oral biofilms. Thus, the literature points to the effectiveness of R. officinalis as an antimicrobial in relation to fungi and pathogenic bacteria in the mouth, having a clinical application in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the oral cavity.

O objetivo desse estudo foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica narrativa sobre a importância do atendimento odontológico para portadores de necessidades especiais (PNE), enfatizando a atenção quanto ao uso de medicamentos, contenções, cuidado dos pais e a multidisciplinaridade entre os profissionais e familiares. Foram selecionados artigos científicos nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol, publicados de 2000 a 2020, a partir das bases de dados: PubMED, BBO, LILACS, SCIELO. A pesquisa nas plataformas se deu através dos seguintes descritores: pacientes especiais, atendimento odontológico e saúde bucal. A partir dos dados obtidos, observou-se que PNE geralmente manifestam agravos bucais mais severos. Esses indivíduos normalmente apresentam limitações motoras decorrentes dessa condição, dificuldades de cooperação e comportamentos agressivos, o que prejudica a higiene bucal, ainda que, na maioria dos casos, tenha um cuidador responsável pelo mesmo. Dessa forma, a Odontologia para PNE é uma especialidade que requer maior seletividade nas técnicas que serão utilizadas para conseguir realizar os procedimentos, além de uma maior atenção às condições sistêmicas do paciente. Além disso, observa-se a necessidade do cirurgião-dentista para fornecer as informações necessárias, demonstrar os cuidados orais, indicar técnicas auxiliares e, concomitantemente, estimular os cuidadores a continuarem a higienização bucal desses pacientes.

Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated opportunistic pathogen in the female genital tract, with 92.3% of cases in Brazil associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Linalool is a monoterpene compound from plants of the genera Cinnamomum , Coriandrum, Lavandula , and Citrus that has demonstrated a fungicidal effect on strains of Candida spp., but its mechanism of action is still unknown. For this purpose, broth microdilution techniques were applied, as well as molecular docking in a predictive manner for this mechanism. The main results of this study indicated that the C. albicans strains analyzed were resistant to fluconazole and sensitive to linalool at a dose of 256 µg/mL. Furthermore, the increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of linalool in the presence of sorbitol and ergosterol indicated that this molecule possibly affects the cell wall and plasma membrane integrity of C. albicans . Molecular docking of linalool with proteins that are key in the biosynthesis and maintenance of the cell wall and the fungal plasma membrane integrity demonstrated the possibility of linalool interacting with three important enzymes: 1,3-β-glucan synthase, lanosterol 14α-demethylase, and Δ 14-sterol reductase. In silico analysis showed that this monoterpene has theoretical but significant oral bioavailability, low toxic potential, and high similarity to pharmaceuticals. Therefore, the findings of this study indicated that linalool probably causes damage to the cell wall and plasma membrane of C. albicans , possibly by interaction with important enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these fungal structures, in addition to presenting low in silico toxic potential.

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes a wide range of community and nosocomial infections. The high capacity of this pathogen to acquire resistance drugs makes it necessary to develop therapeutic alternatives, discovering new antibacterial molecules. Acetamides are molecules that have several biological activities. However, there are no reports on the activity of 2-chloro-N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide. Based on this, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of this molecule on K. pneumoniae, evaluating whether the presence of the chloro atom improves this effect. Then, analyzing its antibacterial action more thoroughly, as well as its cytotoxic and pharmacokinetic profile, in order to contribute to future studies for the viability of a new antibacterial drug. It was shown that the substance has good potential against K. pneumoniae and the chloro atom is responsible for improving this activity, stabilizing the molecule in the target enzyme at the site. The substance possibly acts on penicillin-binding protein, promoting cell lysis. The analysis of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity shows favorable results for future in vivo toxicological tests to be carried out, with the aim of investigating the potential of this molecule. In addition, the substance showed an excellent pharmacokinetic profile, indicating good parameters for oral use.