Punica granatum Linn. prevention of oral candidiasis in patients undergoing anticancer treatment / Punica granatum Linn. na prevenção da candídiase oral em pacientes que se submetem a tratamento antineoplásico

Introduction: Oral candidiasis is considered one of the complications of antineoplastic therapy of head and neck. Studies show that herbal medicine has proven to be a promising alternative for the treatment of candidiasis. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the gel Punica granatum Linn. in the prevention of oral candidiasis in patients undergoing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and adverse effects associated with its use. Material and method: It was performed a clinical trial, double blind, in the period 2012-2013, with patients seen at a referral hospital for cancer treatment. The sample consisted of 17 patients who did not have signs nor symptoms of oral candidiasis. These patients were divided into two groups: experimental (n=11): composed of patients who used the gel Punica granatum Linn. 6.25% since the beginning of the anticancer treatment and completed a week after the end of the treatment regimen; control (n=6): for patients who used the gel Miconazol 2%, following the same guidelines of the previous group. Data were tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and calculation of continuing Yates correction (p<0.05). Result: There was no oral candidiasis in 63.6% of patients in the experimental group and in none of the control group patients. Conclusion: Most patients who used the experimental gel showed no clinical signs of fungal infection, and there was no association of adverse effects.

Introdução: A candidíase oral é considerada uma das complicações da terapia antineoplásica de cabeça e pescoço. Estudos revelam que a fitoterapia vem se mostrando uma alternativa promissora para o tratamento da candidíase. Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade do gel de Punica granatum Linn. na prevenção da candidíase oral, em pacientes submetidos à radioterapia associada ou não a quimioterapia para tratamento de carcinoma de células escamosas na região de cabeça e pescoço, e efeitos adversos associados ao seu uso. Material e método: Foi realizado um ensaio clínico, duplo cego, no período de 2012 a 2013, com pacientes atendidos em um Hospital de referência para tratamento oncológico. A amostra foi composta por 17 pacientes que não apresentavam os sinais e sintomas de candidíase oral, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: experimental (n=11): composto por pacientes que utilizaram o gel de Punica granatum Linn. 6,25%, desde o inicio do tratamento antineoplásico e concluído uma semana após o término do esquema terapêutico; controle (n=6): por pacientes que utilizaram o gel de Miconazol 2%, seguindo as mesmas orientações do grupo anterior. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados por meio da estatística descritiva e usado os testes Qui-quadrado e Cálculo da Correção Continuada de Yates (p<0,05). Resultado: Não se observou a candidíase oral em 63,6% dos pacientes do grupo experimental, e em nenhum paciente do grupo controle. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes que fizeram uso do gel experimental não apresentaram os sinais clínicos da infecção fúngica, e não houve a associação de efeitos adversos.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Adherent in vitro Activity of Tannins Isolated from Anacardium occidentale Linn. (Cashew) on Dental Biolfilm Bacteria

Objective:To evaluate the antimicrobial and ant-adherent in vitro activity of tannins isolated from Anacardium occidentale Linn. (Cashew) on dental biofilm bacteria. Material and Methods:Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903, Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 15300, Streptococcus oralis ATCC 10557, Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 7073 and Lactobacillus casei ATCC 9595 samples were used in this study. The tests were performed by the solid medium dilution method to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Adherence (MICA) of bacteria to glass was determined in the presence of 5% sucrose. As a positive control, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate was used. The substances were tested at concentrations of 1:1 (pure solution) up to 1:512. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the SPSS software,version 15.0. Results:Tannins isolated from Anacardium occidentale Linn. (cashew) formed inhibition halos ranging from 11 to 17 mm in diameter and were capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria tested at concentrations of 1:4 (S mutans), 1:16 (S mitis), 1:8 (Ssanguis), 1:4 (S oralis), 1:8 (S salivarius) and 1:2 (L casei). The tannin solution was effective in inhibiting the adherence of microorganisms to glass, and its effect on Streptococcus sanguis (1:512) and Lactobacillus casei (1:512) stood out, showing ant-adherent effect at all concentrations tested. Conclusion:Tannin isolates produced in vitro antimicrobial and ant-adherent activity on dental biofilm-forming bacteria and can be considered as an alternative treatment in infectious processes in clinical dentistry

A randomized, controlled clinical trial on the clinical and microbiological efficacy of punica granatum linn mouthwash

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a mouthwash containing Punica granatumL as compared to 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate on the control of dental biofilm and gingival inflammation.Material and Methods:A randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial was carried out comprising a sample of 35 students aged nine to twelve years having Simplified Oral Hygiene Index value equal to or higher than 1.6, with at least 20 teeth. The sample was divided into two groups: group A, administration of 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day for 14 days; and group B, administration of Punica granatum mouthwash (6.25%) following the same protocol described above. The Plaque Index (PI) and Bleeding on Probing Index (BPI) were used to evaluate biofilm control and gingival inflammation on days 0, 7 and 14. Counting of oral streptococci from saliva samples was also performed on days 0 and 14. The data were analyzed using Student‟s t test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).Results:The findings showed that P. granatum mouthwash reduced the mean values of PI and BPI, but with no significant difference. However, there was a significant reduction in the counting of oral streptococci. In the control group, all variables were found to be significantly reduced.Conclusion:Punica granatum mouthwash was not effective for the control of dental biofilm and gingival inflammation, but it was effective in reducing the counting of oral streptococci...

Estudo bibliométrico de pesquisas realizadas com fitoterápicos na odontologia / Bibliometric study of dental research on herbal medicines

OBJETIVO: Investigar a produção científica da pesquisa odontológica brasileira envolvendo fitoterápicos, através de um estudo bibliométrico. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, por meio da observação indireta dos resumos publicados na Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO no período de 2006 a 2010. Os trabalhos foram caracterizados de acordo com o ano, estado de origem, espécie vegetal estudada, atividade farmacológica, área de conhecimento, desenho do estudo, recebimento de fomento e agência financiadora. A coleta foi realizada por dois examinadores, sendo o instrumento de registro dos dados um formulário específico. As informações foram analisadas com o Epi Info e apresentadas por meio da estatística descritiva. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 292 trabalhos (1,8%), sendo que a maioria foi desenvolvida na região sudeste (59,6%), principalmente no estado de São Paulo (51,3%). A atividade farmacológica mais frequentemente avaliada foi a antimicrobiana (62,7%), seguida da atividade de reparação tecidual (14,4%). Pesquisas in vitro representaram 63,4% e nos estudos in vivo com animais, o modelo com ratos o mais utilizado (96,2%). CONCLUSÃO: Os estudos com plantas medicinais em Odontologia são reduzidos existindo necessidade de pesquisas com maior força de evidência científica como os ensaios clínicos randomizados para ratificar as propriedades farmacológicas das diferentes espécies, confirmar ou refutar possíveis efeitos adversos, oferecendo mais segurança no uso destes fármacos

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the scientific production of Brazilian dental research involving herbal medicines through a bibliometric study. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by means of indirect observation of abstracts published at the Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Dental Research in the period between 2006 and 2010. Studies were characterized according to year, region of origin, plant species studied, pharmacological activity, of knowledge, study design, funding received and funding agency. Data collection was carried out by two examiners who used a specific form to record the data. Information was analyzed by Epi Info and underwent descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 292 works (1.8%), most of which were performed in Southeastern Brazil (59.6%), mainly in São Paulo (51.3%). The most frequently pharmacological activity assessed was the antimicrobial effect (62.7%), followed by tissue repair activity (14.4%). In vitro studies accounted for 63.4% and in vivo study model with rats was the most used (96.2%). CONCLUSION: A few studies approaching medicinal plants in dentistry may be found. Therefore, there is a need for further research with greater scientific evidence level such as randomized clinical trials, in order to confirm the pharmacological properties of different plant species and to confirm or refute possible adverse effects, thus providing more security for the use of these drugs