Antimicrobial activity and substantivity of Uncaria tomentosa in infected root canal dentin

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial activity and substantivity of Uncaria tomentosa Willd DC (cat's claw, CC) in root dentin contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. Forty-eight human premolars were contaminated with E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and randomly divided into four groups according to the irrigant used during chemomechanical preparation (CMP): CC group: 2% CC gel; CHX group: 2% chlorhexidine digluconate gel (CHX); NaOCl group: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); and SS group: sterile saline (SS). Microbiological samples were collected before (S1) and after (S2) CMP and after 7 days (S3). Colony-forming units (CFU/mL) at the different sampling times and comparisons among the groups were statistically analyzed by Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05). Significant bacterial reduction was achieved in all groups after CMP (p < 0.05). Results show no significant difference between S3 and S2 (p > 0.05) in the CC and CHX groups. Bacterial load was higher in S3 than in S2 samples (p < 0.05) in the NaOCl and SS groups. Our results suggest antibacterial effect of 2% CC gel against E. faecalis in infected dentin, in addition to antibacterial substantivity of 2% CC and 2% CHX up to 7 days.

Proanthocyanidin Characterization and Bioactivity of Extracts from Different Parts of Uncaria tomentosa L. (Cat’s Claw)

“…For instance, Ccahuana-Vasquez et al [5] found that micropulverized U. tomentosa inhibited Staphylococus spp but failed to inhibit P. aeruginosa while another study [40] showed that U. tomentosa gel had an inhibitory effect on Staphylococus spp but was not active towards E. faecalis , suggesting that U. tomentosa type of extract may affect bacterial inhibition [2]. However, Herrera et al [40] proved the antibacterial effect of U. tomentosa against E. faecalis in infected dentin. Our results align with these findings and evidence that antimicrobial activity varied according to U. tomentosa part, location and results suggested strain dependence.…”

Etiologic role of root canal infection in apical periodontitis and its relationship with clinical symptomatology

“…191 NaOCl is the main endodontic irrigant used, because of its antibacterial properties and ability to dissolve organic tissues. 192 CHX, usually at 2% and in a gelbased format, has been proposed as an alternative to NaOCl because of its antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, 191 substantivity, 193,194 and lower cytotoxicity. 195 EDTA is widely used in clinical practice since it removes the contaminated smear layer and debris formed during CMP, opening the dentinal tubules to receive an intracanal medication (ICM) or an endodontic sealer.…”

Endotoxin levels after chemomechanical preparation of root canals with sodium hypochlorite or chlorhexidine: a systematic review of clinical trials and meta‐analysis

“…, Herrera et al . ). This process is known as substantivity and is claimed to be a potential advantage of CHX when used as an irrigant and intracanal medicament during root canal treatment (Khademi et al .…”