Evaluation of the stability and antimicrobial activity of an ethanolic extract of Libidibia ferrea

Abstract

Biofilm is a dense, whitish, noncalcified aggregate of bacteria, with desquamated epithelial cells and food debris creating conditions for an imbalance of resident oral microflora and favoring the destruction of hard and soft tissues by development of caries and gingivitis. The aim of this study was to obtain and characterize an extract of Libidibia ferrea, ex Caesalpinia ferrea L. and to evaluate its feasibility for formulation as a mouthwash, according to current legislation. For this purpose, pH, sedimentation, density, and stability were evaluated, along with microbiological testing of the extract. The microbiological test was used to verify the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, fungi, yeasts, coliforms, and minimum inhibitory concentrations of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus oralis strains. Characterization, microbiological evaluation, and minimum inhibitory concentration results were tabulated and described using descriptive statistics. The L. ferrea extract showed stable characteristics, product quality, and antibacterial activity against the microorganisms tested irrespective of experimental time intervals. According to these results, it can be concluded that formulation of a mouthwash containing L. ferrea extract to control biofilm is feasible, but further studies are needed.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increase the Phenolic Compounds Concentration in the Bark of the Stem of Libidibia Ferrea in Field Conditions

“…The population uses it in the treatment of diabetes, anemia, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases [2] because of its therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory [3], antimicrobial [4], among others.…”

Biopharmaceutical Products and Biomaterials of the Amazon Region Used in Dentistry

“…Among the vast biodiversity of medicinal plants, Libidibia ferrea-popularly referred to as Jucá or ironwood-is another plant from the Brazilian biome noted for several therapeutic properties [20]. Characterized as belonging to the Leguminosae family tree, its scientific name is Libidibia ferrea (Mart.…”

“…In dentistry, L. ferrea has demonstrated potential antibacterial activity against oral microorganisms [20,21], in addition to anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties [41,43]. Nevertheless, several tests are still necessary to improve new dental products and prove their efficacy when used in the oral cavity, with the aim of using them in the dental clinic.…”

“…The microbial test was used to verify the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, fungi, yeasts, coliforms, and minimum inhibitory concentrations of S. mutans and S. oralis strains. Thus, this L. ferrea extract was shown to have antibacterial activity against the oral microorganisms tested and satisfactory stability and quality, enabling the formulation of a mouthwash using this extract to control dental biofilm [20].…”

“…Since phytotherapy is a feasible method for the control and prevention of the development of oral pathologies, with the additional possibility of incorporating phyto-derived compounds into biomaterials, the discovery of new phytotherapic compounds has been of high relevance to dentistry [5,14,[19][20][21][22]. Brazil has an advantage in this market because it has the greatest biodiversity in the world, especially in the Amazo nian Region, and a genetic heritage of great potential for the development of new herbal products [23], especially in dentistry.…”