Herbal Mouthwash Containing Extracts of Baccharis dracunculifolia as Agent for the Control of Biofilm: Clinical Evaluation in Humans

Abstract

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), popularly known as “alecrim-do-campo,” is largely distributed in South America, is shown to exhibit protective actions against gastric ulcers, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is hepatoprotective. Several essential oils obtained from Baccharis species possess biological activities, such as antimicrobial and antivirus activities. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of B. dracunculifolia in the reduction of dental biofilm, comparing this natural product with other mouthwashes already known in the dental market. In measuring the time after use of mouthwash (t = 1), there was no difference between products (P = 0.602); that is, subjects in the study had a similar PI after the first use. After one week (t = 2), there was no difference between the four products evaluated (P = 0.674), so, all research individuals completed the study with a similar reduction in dental biofilm between themselves but it was different from initial state (Friedman test). It is possible to conclude that B. dracunculifolia had the same efficiency of the materials used to oral hygiene in reduction of dental plaque and, consequently, prevention of dental caries. Thus, we can consider B. dracunculifolia as a good candidate for new material to be implemented in dental care.

Clinical Trials with Herbal Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries and Their Quality: A Scoping Study

“…Some of the 14.29% of the studies that had negative results based on the conventional significance level 0.05 tended to present the results in a positive light. For instance, one study that found no significant difference among four groups (p = 0.602), of which two had received active controls, one the test product and one a placebo product concluded that "B. dracunculifolia had the same efficiency of the materials used to oral hygiene in reduction of dental plaque and, consequently, prevention of dental caries" [86]. A more likely conclusion in this case would be that the study did not have sufficient power to discriminate between the active interventions and placebo.…”

Clinical Trials with Herbal Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries and Their Quality: A Scoping Study

“…Some of the 14.29% of the studies that had negative results based on the conventional significance level 0.05 tended to present the results in a positive light. For instance, one study that found no significant difference among four groups (p=0.602), of which two had received active controls, one the test product and one a placebo product concluded that "B. dracunculifolia had the same efficiency of the materials used to oral hygiene in reduction of dental plaque and, consequently, prevention of dental caries" [78]. A more likely conclusion in this case would be that the study did not have sufficient power to discriminate between the active interventions and placebo.…”

Development of Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) Essential Oil Nanoemulsion and Its Biological Activity on Pre-pupae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

“…Baccharis dracunculifolia is a plant native to Brazil popularly known as field rosemary-of-field [24]. This species has been recognized for its diverse pharmacological properties, such as antifungal [25], anticarcinogenic [26,27], antimicrobial [28,29], antioxidant [30], antileishmanial and antiplasmodial [31] as a tick insecticide [32], and as an insecticide and repellent [33]. It is traditionally used for the treatment of liver problems and inflammation.…”