In vitro evaluation of the root canal cleaning ability of plant extracts and their antimicrobial action

Abstract

In vitro evaluation of the root canal cleaning ability of plant extracts and their antimicrobial action Abstract: This in vitro study evaluated both the antimicrobial activity and the root canal cleaning ability of plant extracts used in irrigation solutions. The antimicrobial activities of the aroeira-da-praia (Schinus terebintifolius Raddi) and the quixabeira (Syderoxylum obtusifolium Roem & Schult) hydroalcoholic extracts, of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and of 0.12% chlorhexidine (positive control) against Enterococcus faecalis were tested with the agar well diffusion method. The level of root canal cleanliness was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twenty one single-rooted human teeth were divided into three groups according to the irrigation solution applied: 1) 50% aroeira-da-praia; 2) 50% quixabeira and 3) a combination of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite + 17% EDTA. All solutions tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. The SEM analysis revealed that higher and lower degrees of surface cleaning were observed, in the three groups, respectively for the coronal and apical thirds, in that quixabeira showed the greatest efficiency in removing the smear layer in the apical third. All the agents tested presented antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis. None, however, was able to completely remove the smear layer of the dentinal surface in the different thirds of the root canal. The results suggest that the analyzed plant extracts may represent a new therapeutic option in the list of alternative agents available for endodontic treatment.

Antimicrobial Potential of Plant Extracts and Chemical Fractions of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.) T.D. Penn on Oral Microorganisms

“…For the diffusion in agar method, none of the extracts presented activity; however, the broth microdilution method for the bark extract showed bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity on S. aureus and E. coli, while the leaf extract showed the same activities for S. aureus. 7 The results do not corroborate the findings of Costa et al, 31 in which a 70% hydroalcoholic extract of S. obtusifolium bark presented activity against E. faecalis using the agar diffusion method. The variability of results between the experiments that use similar extracts, microorganisms, and techniques may suggest that the antimicrobial activity evaluation of S. obtusifolium hydroalcoholic extracts is influenced by the agar diffusion method.…”

Root Canal Irrigation: Chemical Agents and Plant Extracts Against Enterococcus faecalis

“…Tests were performed on agar plates after 48 hours of incubation at 37°C. All solutions tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis [ 71 ].…”

Natural products in endodontics

“…Both agents were able to eradicate E.faecalis bacteria, but none of them was able to remove the smear layer in the different thirds of the root canal. 16 The antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis plant (Rosemary) against E.faecalis , and its ability for disinfecting gutta-percha cones contaminated with the same bacteria was evaluated. In the antibacterial experiment, the disc diffusion method was used.…”