Therapeutic Potential of Bauhinia forficata Link in Dental Biofilm Treatment.

The oral cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and anti-demineralizing effects of a tincture from Bauhinia forficata Link tincture (BFLT) were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo. Susceptibility tests (minimum inhibitory and microbicidal concentrations-MIC and time-kill assay-MMC) were performed against planktonic oral microorganisms. The contents of phenolic compounds were investigated. Cytotoxic potential was evaluated on oral fibroblasts after 1-5 min exposure to BFLT. Blocks of sound bovine enamel (N = 60) were inoculated with a saliva pool and sustained in a multiple plaque growth system for 48 h to form a biofilm. Biofilm blocks were randomly divided into groups-G (n = 10): G1-Baseline (48 h maturation biofilm), G2-BFLT 23.2 mg/mL, G3-Ethanol 81.20 g/mL, G4-Chlorhexidine 0.12%, G5-Growth control, and G6-Blank control. Treatments (50 µL/1 min) were performed once a day for a week. Streptococcus spp. (S) and total microorganism (TM) counts were expressed as Log10 CFU/mL. Biofilm height was evaluated by confocal microscopy analyses (CMA). Final surface hardness was assessed and percentage of microhardness loss (% MHL) was calculated. Results were significant when P < .05. BFLT inhibited all tested microorganisms (MIC = 1.3-23.2 mg/mL) and promoted optical reduction (0.05-0.22 nm) of all microorganisms after 48-h treatment compared with controls. After 5-min treatment, BFLT showed low values of cell death (3.20%). G2-BFLT reduced S (6.61 ± 0.20) and TM (7.14 ± 0.38) compared with G1-Baseline (S = 7.82 ± 0.28; TM = 8.81 ± 0.67) and G5-Growth control (S = 7.48 ± 0.39; TM = 7.89 ± 0.68); but G4-chlororexidine (S = 6.11 ± 0.48; TM = 6.45 ± 0.16) showed the highest antibiofilm activity. CMA was not different among treatment groups. G2 showed lower % MHL compared with G5, although G4 presented the lowest. Results suggest BFLT is beneficial against dental caries, showing antimicrobial effects against a mature dental biofilm and no cytotoxicity.

Homeopathic medicine of Melissa officinalis combined or not with Phytolacca decandra in the treatment of possible sleep bruxism in children: A crossover randomized triple-blinded controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The present randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of homeopathic medicines of Melissa officinalis (MO), Phytolacca decandra (PD), and the combination of both in the treatment of possible sleep bruxism (SB) in children. STUDY DESIGN: Patients (n = 52) (6.62 ± 1.79 years old) were selected based on the parents report of SB. The study comprised a crossover design that included 4 phases of 30-day treatment (Placebo; MO 12c; PD 12c; and MO 12c + PD 12c), with a wash-out period of 15 days between treatments. METHODS: At baseline and after each phase, the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) was used as the primary outcome measure to evaluate the influence of treatments on the reduction of SB. The following additional outcome measures were used: a children's sleep diary with parent's/guardian's perceptions of their children's sleep quality, the trait of anxiety scale (TAS) to identify changes in children's anxiety profile, and side effects reports. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Post Hoc LSD test. RESULTS: Significant reduction of SB was observed in VAS after the use of Placebo (-1.72 ± 0.29), MO (-2.36 ± 0.36), PD (-1.44 ± 0.28) and MO + PD (-2.21 ± 0.30) compared to baseline (4.91 ± 1.87). MO showed better results compared to PD (p = 0.018) and Placebo (p = 0.050), and similar result compared to MO+PD (p = 0.724). The sleep diary results and TAS results were not influenced by any of the treatments. No side effects were observed after treatments. CONCLUSION: MO showed promising results in the treatment of possible sleep bruxism in children, while the association of PD did not improve MO results.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Potential of a Brazilian Red Propolis

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the effect of a red propolis ethanolic extract (RPE) in the prevention of growth of a cariogenic biofilm and its cytotoxic potential. Material and Methods: Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) of RPE against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei were determined. The cytotoxic potential of 0.4% RPE in oral fibroblasts was observed after 1, 3 and 5 min of contact. Cellulose membrane disks (13 mm, N=12) were used for biofilm formation (24 h) of S. mutans and L. casei, which were treated (1 min) with 0.4% RPE or 0.12% Chlorhexidine (CHX). The control group of biofilm formation was not submitted to any treatment. Serial dilutions were then made to evaluate microbial viability. Descriptive data analysis and, for microbial viability, Mann Whitney test were performed (p≤0.05). Results: RPE showed similar MIC and MBC (4.46 mg/mL) against S. mutans and, for L. casei, they were 8.92 mg/mL (MIC) and 17.85 mg/mL (MBC). CHX presented MIC and MBC <0.00002 mg/mL for S. mutans and 0.00047 mg/mL for L. casei. After 1, 3 and 5 min, the RPE exhibited, respectively, 69.38%, 43.91% and 40.36% of viable cells. The RPE (6.55) and CHX (6.87) presented similar efficacy to reduce the total number of viable bacteria (p>0.05). Regarding the total number of viable bacteria (Log10 CFU/mL), the RPE (6.55) and CHX (6.87) presented similar efficacy (p>0.05). Conclusion: Red propolis extract showed antibacterial activity against the tested strains, exhibited acceptable cytotoxicity and reduced the colonization of S. mutans and L. casei in a biofilm membrane model.

Treatment of dental biofilm with a tincture of Bauhinia forficata leaves: an ex-vivo study.

The inhibitory activity of a Bauhinia forficata tincture (TBF) was investigated against oral microorganism's strains and against a mature oral biofilm. The viability of planktonic cells was analyzed by Minimal Inhibitory and Microbicidal concentrations of TBF. Salivary samples from health volunteers were collected and mixed to form a saliva pool. An aliquot from this pool were seeded on membranes, which were incubated to form biofilm (48 h). The biofilm was treated according to the groups: G1-Chlorhexidine 0.12%; G2-TBF at the highest MMC; G3-Ethanol at the TBF highest MMC. G4 was the growth control. Streptococcus spp. (S) and total microorganisms (TM) from biofilm were counted. TBF was microbicidal against all oral pathogens. G2 was able to reduce the counts of S and TM from biofilm compared to G3 and G4, but less than G1 (p < 0.05). TBF is able to reduce the microbial levels from a mature oral biofilm.

Homeopathic therapy for sleep bruxism in a child: Findings of a 2-year case report.

Bruxism is a sleep disorder characterized by grinding and biting teeth with multifactorial etiology, resulting in deleterious effects on teeth, periodontium, and temporomandibular joint. There is a lack of scientific evidence evaluating the effectiveness of medicines in treating this parafunction. The present case report was drafted under the rules of CARE checklist. An 8-year-old male patient with sleep bruxism and associated symptoms received a combined homeopathic therapy of Phytolacca decandra 12c and Melissa officinalis 12c for 2 months. After this period of combined homeopathic therapy, the bruxism and associated symptoms completely disappeared. After 2 years of clinical follow-ups, the patient had no recurrences. The use of homeopathic therapy was successful and should be seen as an alternative to treat sleep bruxism and its associated symptoms in children.

Antibacterial Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree essential oil) on Bacteria of the Dental Biofilm

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of tea tree EO on Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), S. salivarius (ATCC 7073) and Lactobacillus rhaminosus (ATCC 9595). Material and Methods: The antibacterial activity of M. alternifolia EO was evaluated by the broth dilution method, by which minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) were determined. Serial dilutions range from 70243.90 µg/mL to 26.14 µg/mL. The MIC evaluation was performed in 96-well microplates, in which 100 µL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), 100 µL of the EO dilution and 5 µL of the inoculum (final concentration = 5x105 CFU/mL) were inserted. After 24 h of incubation, MIC was determined as the lowest concentration capable of inhibiting microbial growth, identified by the resazurin reaction (100 µg/mL). CBM was identified by the absence of subculture growths (50 µL) of dilutions equal to or greater than MIC. Tests were performed in triplicate and at three different times (n = 9). Pharmacological controls (0.05% and 0.12% Chlorhexidine), growth and sterility were used to validate the results. Results: The MIC of M. alternifolia compared to S. mutans, S. salivarius and L. rhaminosus was 1940.16 µg/mL, 3977.34 µg/mL and 3977.34 µg/mL, respectively. The MBC values were 70243.90 µg/mL, 3977.34 µg/mL and 34265.31 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The essential oil of M. alternifolia presented antibacterial activity against the microorganisms evaluated when in high concentration.