Anticandida and antibiofilm activities of extract from Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. against Candida spp.

The pathogenic nature of infections caused by Candida spp. underscores the necessity for novel therapeutic agents. Extracts of Schinopsis brasilienses Engl are \ a promising source of agents with antifungal effects. This study aimed to assess the antifungal potential of the leaf extract of S. brasilienses. The antifungal activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations and fungicide concentrations (MIC and MFC). The antibiofilm potential was assessed by counting colony-forming units/mL. The study examined the inhibition kinetics of fungal growth and potential synergism between gallic acid or the extract and nystatin using the Checkerboard method. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through the MTT assay. The extract exhibited antifungal effect against all tested strains, with MIC and MFC ranging from 31.25-250 µg/mL. Gallic acid, the main isolated compound, displayed a MIC of 2000 µg/mL. The extract of S. brasilienses at 31.25 µg/mL inhibited the formation of biofilm by C. albicans and significantly reduced the mass of mature biofilm after 24 and 48 h (p < 0. 05). At a concentration of 125 µg/mL, the extract demonstrated significant inhibition of fungal growth after 6 hours. The combination of gallic acid or extract with nystatin did not exhibit synergistic or antagonistic effect. Furthermore, the extract did not induce cytotoxicity to a human cell line. The extract of S. brasiliensis demonstrates antifungal activity against Candida, generally exhibiting fungicidal action and capacity to inhibit biofilm formation as well as reduce mature biofilms. Additionally, the extract showed low cytotoxicity to human cells.

Antifungal Activity, Phytochemical Characterization and Thermal Profile of Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell. ) Brenan

Objective: To investigate the antifungal potential of A. colubrina, and its phytochemical characteristics, thermal profile and toxicity. Material and Methods: To assess potential antifungal activity, the technique of microdilution was used with the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration, using standard species of Candida and recent clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Analyses of action of the extract were performed on the wall and cell morphology of C. albicans, of the interactive effect between the plant extract and nystatin on C. albicans through the checkerboard method, and of growth kinetics. The phytochemical screening was determined by spectrophotometry. The thermal profile was traced with the determination of thermogravimetric curves (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The toxicity was evaluated by the method of hemolysis. Results: The extract of A. colubrina showed a fungistatic potential against all bacteria tested and it acted by modifying the cellular morphology of C. albicans. There was a synergism between nystatin and the plant extract (FIC=0.375), and 53.18% of total polyphenols were determined. The TG curve showed the occurrence of three steps of thermal decomposition. None of the tested concentrations became the effective cytotoxic concentration. Conclusion: Further studies should be conducted to understand the efficacy and the mechanisms of action involved in the antifungal activity of the plant extract of A. colubrina in order to produce a new drug for the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Antimicrobial Potential of Momordica charantia L. against Multiresistant Standard Species and Clinical Isolates.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal potential in vitro of Momordica charantia L. against the microorganisms of clinical interest (standard strains and multiresistant isolates) in order to aggregate scientific information in relation to its use as a therapeutic product. MATERIALS AND METHODS: M. charantia L. plant material was acquired in municipality of Malta, Paraiba, Brazil. The extract was obtained through maceration, filtration and then concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator, resulting in a dough, and was then dried in an oven for 72 hours at 40°C. Antimicrobial action of ethanolic extract of seed M. charantia L. was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against standard strains of bacteria, isolates multiresistant bacteria and Candida species, by microdilution in broth method. RESULTS: All organisms were sensitive to the extract, being considered strong antimicrobial activity (MIC and MBC/MFC < 0.125 mg/ml). CONCLUSION: The M. charantia L. showed strong antimicrobial potential, with bactericidal and fungicidal profile, there is the prospect to constitute a new therapeutic strategy for the control of infections, particularly in multiresistant strains. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of medicinal plants in treatment of infectious processes have an important function nowadays, due to the limitations of the use of synthetic antibiotics available, related specifically to the microbial resistance emergence.

Potencial antimicrobiano de seis plantas do semiárido paraibano contra bactérias relacionadas à infecção endodôntica / Antimicrobial potential of six plants from the semiarid zone of Paraíba State (Brazil) against bacteria related to endodontic infection

Com o aumento dos microrganismos resistentes às substâncias antimicrobianas já conhecidas, vários extratos de plantas medicinais foram testados com a finalidade de procurar novos compostos com atividade antimicrobiana reconhecida. Assim este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de diferentes extratos vegetais em bactérias relacionadas à infecção endodôntica. Foram testados os extratos hidroalcóolicos das espécies Syderoxylum obtusifolium Roem e Schult (quixabeira), Bauhínia forficata Linn (mororó), Anadenanthera colubrina Brenan (angico), Spondias tuberosa Arruda (umbuzeiro), Tabebuia pentaphylla Vell. (ipê rosa) e Guapira graciliflora Mart. (joão-mole), contra o Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. Foram realizados os ensaios antimicrobianos pela técnica do disco difusão em ágar e pelo método de microdiluição em caldo. Todos os extratos analisados apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana contra pelo menos uma espécie bacteriana. Os melhores resultados foram encontrados com T. pentaphylla Vell e G. graciliflora Mart, apresentando atividade contra todas as cepas testadas, destacando-se a atividade de T. pentaphylla Vell frente a S.aureus na concentração de 0,78μl/μl e da casca de G. graciliflora Mart frente a E.faecalisna concentração de 6,25μl/μl. Os resultados sinalizam o potencial antimicrobiano dessas plantas, podendo ser promissoras para estudos de desenvolvimento de novos produtos de uso endodôntico.

In the face of an increasing range of microorganisms known to be resistant to antimicrobial substances, various herbal extracts have been screened in order to find new compounds with recognized antimicrobial activity. In particular, this study was carried out to assess the antimicrobial activity of such extracts on bacteria related to endodontic infection. Hydroalcoholic extracts of the species Syderoxylum obtusifolium Roem and Schult (quixabeira), Bauhinia forficata Linn (mororó) Anadenanthera colubrina Brenan (angico), Spondias tuberosa Arruda (umbuzeiro), Tabebuia pentaphylla Vell. (ipê rosa) and Guapira graciliflora Mart. (joão-mole), were tested against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial assays were performed by the disk agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. All extracts analyzed showed antimicrobial activity against at least one bacterial species. The best results were obtained with T. pentaphylla and G. graciliflora, which showed activity against all tested strains; specifically, that of T. pentaphylla against S. aureus, at a concentration of 0.78μL/μL, and of G. graciliflora bark against E. faecalis, at a concentration of 6.25μL/μL, should be highlighted. The results indicate that extracts of these plants may be promising for the study and development of new antimicrobials for endodontic use.

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

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.

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

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.