Plant species used in dental diseases: ethnopharmacology aspects and antimicrobial activity evaluation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ethnopharmacological surveys show that several plant species are used empirically by the population, in oral diseases. However, it is necessary to check the properties of these plant species. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans from plant species selected in a previous ethnopharmacology study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted with users of a dental clinic school services, located in Sao Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, aiming to identify plant species used in oral diseases treatment. From the ethnopharmacological survey, species were selected for in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation against Streptococcus mutans, by agar diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy one people participated in the research: 55.7% reported the use of plants for medicinal purposes, 29.5% of which have knowledge and/or use plants for some type of oral disease. Thirty four species belonging to 24 (twenty four) botanical families were reported, being Aloe vera L., Anacardium occidentale L., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Punica granatum L. the most cited. The most commonly reported indications were healing after tooth extraction, followed by toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums., The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) demonstrated that Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed similar activity to 0.12% chlorhexidine, used as positive control. CONCLUSION: That result is important to follow up the study of these species in the search for new anticariogenic agents originated by plants.

Periodontal status and serum biomarkers levels in haemodialysis patients.

AIM: To investigate the association between periodontal status and serum biomarkers levels in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 96 haemodialysis patients. The periodontal evaluation was realized using clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), gingival bleeding index (GBI), visible plaque index (VPI) and gingival index (GI). Biochemical and haematological data - serum albumin, phosphorus, creatinine, transferrin, ferritin, iron, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, potassium and haemoglobin - were collected from the medical records. The subject was diagnosed with periodontitis if he/she had at least two inter-proximal sites in different teeth with CAL ≥4 mm and/or at least two inter-proximal sites in separate teeth with PD ≥5 mm. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 45 men and 51 women, with mean time under haemodialysis of 45.6 ± 33.1 months. Periodontitis was observed in 59.4% of the subjects. The periodontitis group had albumin (p = 0.021) and phosphorus (p = 0.024) serum levels lower than the no periodontitis group. Thus, there was a positive association of periodontitis with hypoalbuminaemia (OR = 9.10, p = 0.006) and a negative association with hyperphosphataemia (OR = 0.21, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that periodontitis is associated with albumin and phosphorus serum levels in haemodialysis patients.

Salivary evaluation of pediatric patients with cancer, before and after antineoplasic treatment.

AIMS: This study evaluated the salivary biochemical and immunological status of children with cancer undergoing to antineoplasic treatment in an attempt to identify alternatives for a less invasive and less painful monitoring of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from 115 children without cancer (control) and 32 children with cancer (CA). Children with cancer were also evaluated after antineoplasic treatment (CAT, n = 17). The salivary concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), urea, insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), levothyroxine (T4), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were determined. RESULTS: Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma were the most frequent cancers, although cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, osteosarcoma, nephroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and endodermal sinus tumor were also observed. The salivary concentration of cholesterol, triglycerides, or GGT did not differ between groups. Instead, the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and T4 were higher in patients with cancer, irrespective of treatment. TSH levels were higher in the CA group and urea concentration was lower in the CAT group. T3 was undetectable in all groups. Antineoplasic treatment increased the glucose level and decreased the insulin concentration. Salivary concentration of total IgA was lower in children with cancer, irrespective of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer and antineoplasic treatment affected biochemical and immunological parameters in the saliva of children, shedding new light on the potential usefulness of saliva for monitoring children with cancer, especially to patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

Mechanisms of action underlying the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of propolis: a brief review

Many biological properties have been attributed to various types of propolis, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, wound healing, and immunomodulatory activities. This article reviewed studies published that investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis of different origins and/or its isolated components, focusing on the mechanisms of action underlying this activity and also addressing some aspects of immunomodulatory effects. The search was performed of the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, HighWire Press, Scielo, Google Academics, Research Gate and ISI Web of Knowledgement. The anti-inflammatory activity was associated with propolis or compounds such as polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids and their esters), terpenoids, steroids and amino acids. CAPE is the most studied compounds. The main mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis included the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and consequent inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, free radical scavenging, inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, reduction in the concentration of inflammatory cytokines and immunosuppressive activity. Propolis was found to exert an anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro models of acute and chronic inflammation and others studies, indicating its promising potential as anti-inflammatory agent of natural origin and as a source of chemical compounds for the development of new drugs.

Antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens and immunomodulatory effects and toxicity of geopropolis produced by the stingless bee Melipona fasciculata Smith.

BACKGROUND: Native bees of the tribe Meliponini produce a distinct kind of propolis called geopropolis. Although many pharmacological activities of propolis have already been demonstrated, little is known about geopropolis, particularly regarding its antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens. The present study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial activity of M. fasciculata geopropolis against oral pathogens, its effects on S. mutans biofilms, and the chemical contents of the extracts. A gel prepared with a geopropolis extract was also analyzed for its activity on S. mutans and its immunotoxicological potential. METHODS: Antimicrobial activities of three hydroalcoholic extracts (HAEs) of geopropolis, and hexane and chloroform fractions of one extract, were evaluated using the agar diffusion method and the broth dilution technique. Ethanol (70%, v/v) and chlorhexidine (0.12%, w/w) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Total phenol and flavonoid concentrations were assayed by spectrophotometry. Immunotoxicity was evaluated in mice by topical application in the oral cavity followed by quantification of biochemical and immunological parameters, and macro-microscopic analysis of animal organs. RESULTS: Two extracts, HAE-2 and HAE-3, showed inhibition zones ranging from 9 to 13 mm in diameter for S. mutans and C. albicans, but presented no activity against L. acidophilus. The MBCs for HAE-2 and HAE-3 against S. mutans were 6.25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively. HAE-2 was fractionated, and its chloroform fraction had an MBC of 14.57 mg/mL. HAE-2 also exhibited bactericidal effects on S. mutans biofilms after 3 h of treatment. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in total phenol and flavonoid concentrations were observed among the samples. Signs toxic effects were not observed after application of the geopropolis-based gel, but an increase in the production of IL-4 and IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokines, was detected. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, geopropolis produced by M. fasciculata can exert antimicrobial action against S. mutans and C. albicans, with significant inhibitory activity against S. mutans biofilms. The extract with the highest flavonoid concentration, HAE-2, presented the highest antimicrobial activity. In addition, a geopropolis-based gel is not toxic in an animal model and displays anti-inflammatory effect.

Efeito do tratamento com própolis de Scaptotrigona aff. postica sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor de Ehrlich em camundongos / Effect of propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica on the development of the tumor of Ehrlich in mice

Neste trabalho foi investigado o efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico de própolis (EHP) de Scaptotrigona aff. postica sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor de Ehrlich na forma sólida, sobre a celularidade dos órgãos linfóides dos animais portadores de tumor, bem como, sobre a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) pelos macrófagos destes animais. Camundongos Swiss foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, EHP 0,5; EHP 5 e EHP 50, os quais foram tratados por via intraperitoneal com dose única de solução salina (NaCl 0,9 por cento); 0,5; 5 ou 50 mg de EHP/kg de animal, respectivamente. Depois de 48 h do tratamento, os animais foram inoculados com 10(5) células do tumor de Ehrlich nas patas. Os resultados mostraram que o tratamento com EHP nas doses de 5 e 50 mg/kg inibiu de forma significativa o desenvolvimento do tumor a partir do 6º dia pós-inóculo quando comparado ao controle e ao EHP 0,5. Além disso, houve aumento significativo da celularidade do baço e da medula óssea nos grupos EHP 0,5 e EHP 5 em relação ao controle. A produção de NO estimulada com concanavalina A (ConA) apresentou uma significante diminuição nos grupos tratados com EHP em relação ao controle. Pode-se concluir que o tratamento com EHP apresentou efeito antitumoral quando administrado nas doses de 5 e 50 mg/kg, o que pode estar relacionado com a sua composição química e com a inibição da produção de NO.

It was investigated the effect of hydroalcoholic extract (HEP) of propolis from Scaptotrigona aff. postica on the solid Ehrlich tumor, on the tumor-bearing mice lymphoid organs and on the nitric oxide (NO) production. Swiss mice were divided in 4 groups: control, HEP 0.5; HEP 5 and HEP 50 that was treated by intraperitoneal route with a single dose of saline solution (NaCl 0.9 percent) or 0.5 or 5 or 50 mg of HEP/kg body weight, respectively. After 48 h of treatment, the animals were inoculated with 10(5) tumor cells in their footpad. The results showed that the treatment with HEP in the doses of 5 and 50 mg/kg inhibited the development of the tumor from the 6th day post inoculums when compared to the control and to the HEP 0.5 groups. Besides, there was an increase of spleen and bone marrow cell number in HEP 0.5 and HEP 5 as compared to the control. Concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated NO production was decreased in all HEP-treated groups when compared to the control. In conclusion, the treatment with HEP had an anti-tumor effect what may be related to its chemical composition and to the inhibition of NO production.

The potential use of propolis as a cariostatic agent and its actions on mutans group streptococci.

Propolis is a resinous substance made by bees. It possesses many biological activities, and many studies have reported its potential application in the control of dental caries. However, variability in the chemical composition of propolis is a potential problem in its quality control, especially since propolis has already been incorporated into products for oral use. Therefore, a critical analysis of the available data on propolis is warranted. The present review discusses the in vitro and in vivo studies published in the period between 1978 and 2008 regarding the effects of propolis on Streptococcus mutans growth, bacterial adherence, glucosyltransferase activity, and caries indicators. Several investigations carried out with crude propolis extracts, isolated fractions, and purified compounds showed reductions in Streptococcus mutans counts and interference with their adhesion capacity and glucosyltransferase activity, which are considered major properties in the establishment of the cariogenic process. Data from in vivo studies have demonstrated reductions in Streptococcus mutans counts in saliva, the plaque index, and insoluble polysaccharide formation. These findings indicate that propolis and/or its compounds are promising cariostatic agents. However, the variation in the chemical composition of propolis due to its geographical distribution is a significant drawback to its routine clinical use. Thus, further studies are needed to establish the quality and safety control criteria for propolis in order for it to be used in accordance with its proposed activity.