In vitro antimicrobial activity of phytotherapic Uncaria tomentosa against endodontic pathogens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (cat's claw) against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Suspensions with 10(8) cells/ml of each microorganism were plated in triplicate on Mueller-Hinton agar. Wells in the agar were made and filled with 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel, 2% cat's claw (CC) gel, 2% CHX+CC, and 1% hydroxyethylcellulose (NAT) gel. Inhibition halos were measured after 24 h at 37°C and differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The mean diameter of the microbial growth inhibition zones of 2% CHX+CC against the tested microbial strains ranged from 21.7 to 33.5 mm. This was the most effective substance against E. faecalis and C. albicans, followed by CHX and CC. Against S. aureus, CHX+CC, CHX, and CC showed similar antimicrobial activity (P > 0.05). The results indicate that all the investigated compounds had antimicrobial activity against microorganisms frequently found in infected root-filled teeth.

Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Uncaria

“…However, this concentration did not present inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa and C. albicans (Ccahuana-Vasquez et al, 2007), which differed from that presented by Silva et al (1998) and Herrera et al (2010). According to Herrera et al (2010), the freeze-dried extract of U. tomentosa exhibited inhibition against C. albicans with the zones of inhibition up to 26.5 mm at the concentration of 20 mg/mL. And increasing the concentration to 500 mg/mL, the extract inhibited C. albicans isolates by 66% (Silva et al, 1998).…”

“…Micropulverized U. tomentosa inhibited 8% of Enterobacteriaceae isolates, 52% of Streptococcus mutants and 96% of Staphylococcus spp at the concentration of 30 mg/mL. However, this concentration did not present inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa and C. albicans (Ccahuana-Vasquez et al, 2007), which differed from that presented by Silva et al (1998) and Herrera et al (2010). According to Herrera et al (2010), the freeze-dried extract of U. tomentosa exhibited inhibition against C. albicans with the zones of inhibition up to 26.5 mm at the concentration of 20 mg/mL.…”

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

“…On the other hand, the antimicrobial activity of U. tomentosa has received little attention [5,6]. Phenolic compounds are recognized as antimicrobial agents on certain human bacteria.…”

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

“…These compounds may be related to the antimicrobial activity of CC. 10,11 Isopteropodine-HCl, a pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid isolated from the bark of the plant, has been shown to be the most potent of the tested compounds, with antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. 12 In this study, CC was tested against E. faecalis, which is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccus present in 24%-74% of asymptomatic and persistent endodontic infections.…”