Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Streptococcus mutans and their Antiproliferative Effects.

This study aimed to evaluate the activity of essential oils (EOs) against Streptococcus mutans biofilm by chemically characterizing their fractions responsible for biological and antiproliferative activity. Twenty EO were obtained by hydrodistillation and submitted to the antimicrobial assay (minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations) against S. mutans UA159. Thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were used for phytochemical analyses. EOs were selected according to predetermined criteria and fractionated using dry column; the resulting fractions were assessed by MIC and MBC, selected as active fractions, and evaluated against S. mutans biofilm. Biofilms formed were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Selected EOs and their selected active fractions were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against keratinocytes and seven human tumor cell lines. MIC and MBC values obtained for EO and their active fractions showed strong antimicrobial activity. Chemical analyses mainly showed the presence of terpenes. The selected active fractions inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation (P < 0.05) did not affect glycolytic pH drop and were inactive against keratinocytes, normal cell line. In conclusion, EO showed activity at low concentrations, and their selected active fractions were also effective against biofilm formed by S. mutans and human tumor cell lines.

Evaluation of antifungal activity of medicinal plant extracts against oral Candida albicans and proteinases.

Proteinases produced by Candida albicans are one kind of virulence factor expressed that contribute to adherence and invasion of host tissue. Proteinase inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus in experimental candidiasis suggested reduction in fungal infection, and medicinal plants could be a source of alternative agent to prevent diseases. In this study, we investigated the production of proteinases by C. albicans from clinical isolates and the action of plant extracts against strains of C. albicans and its synthesized proteinases, comparing with antifungal fluconazole and amphotericin B and proteinase inhibitors pepstatin A, amprenavir, and ritonavir. The results reported here showed that these extracts have a certain kind of action and that the search for new antifungal agents could be found at the plants.

Influence of photobiomodulation on pain perception during initial orthodontic tooth movement / Influência do fotobiomodulação na percepção da dor durante o movimento ortodôntico inicial

Introduction: Laser in low intensity (LLI) has been used to reduce the discomfort and pain that is triggered by the forces applied during orthodontic treatment. Objective: To evaluate the effect of LLI application in the pain perception of periodontal ligament initial compression, during orthodontic tooth movement; and to compare the effect of this therapy between men and women. Material and method: The sample consisted of 30 volunteers, who needed orthodontic band placement on mandibular first molars. After insertion of the elastic separators, LLI was applied to the mesial and distal apical region (wavelength 808nm, energy 2J, time 20s and fluency of 8.32J/cm2) and at three points on the root region (wavelength 808nm, energy 1J, time 10s and fluency of 4.16J/cm2) of the first molar (irradiated side) and compared to the contralateral first molar (non-irradiated side), in three time intervals: 0hs, 24hs and 48hs. Pain perception was evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), at 0hs, 24hs and 48hs after insertion, with significance of 5%. Result: The pain level was observed to be significantly lower (p<0.05) on the irradiated side, irrespective of gender and time. Women presented a significantly higher pain level (p<0.05) than men, irrespective of time and side. There were no significant differences between the time intervals (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that LLI reduced the perception of initial pain in patients in whom compression of the periodontal ligament was promoted by elastic separation, and that women had a greater perception of pain sensitivity in the time intervals studied.

Introdução: O tratamento com Laser em Baixa Intensidade (LBI) tem sido utilizado para reduzir o desconforto e a dor desencadeados pelas forças aplicadas durante o tratamento ortodôntico. Objetivo: Avaliar o feito da aplicação de LBI na percepção da dor na compressão inicial do ligamento periodontal durante o movimento dentário ortodôntico; e comparar o efeito desta terapia entre os sexos. Material e método: A amostra foi composta por 30 voluntários, que necessitavam de bandagem dos primeiros molares inferiores. Após a instalação dos elásticos separadores, aplicou-se o LBI infravermelho na região apical mesial e distal (comprimento de onda 808nm, energia 2J, tempo 20s e fluência de 8,32J/cm2) e em três ponto na região radicular (comprimento de onda 808nm, energia 1J, tempo 10s e fluência de 4,16J/cm2) no lado irradiado e comparou-se com o primeiro molar contralateral não irradiado (lado controle), em três tempos: 0hs, 24hs e 48hs. A percepção de dor foi avaliada pela interpretação da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) em 0hs, 24hs e 48hs após a instalação, com nílvel de significância de 5%. Resultado: Observou-se que o nível de dor foi significativamente menor (p<0,05) no lado irradiado, independentemente do sexo e do tempo. O sexo feminino apresentou nível de dor significativamente maior (p<0,05) que o sexo masculino, independentemente do tempo e do lado. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tempos (p>0,05). Conclusão: Concluiu-se que o LBI diminui a percepção de dor inicial em pacientes onde se promoveu a compressão do ligamento periodontal por meio de separação elástica, e que o sexo feminino apresentou maior percepção da sensibilidade dolorosa nos tempos observados.

Coriandrum sativum L. (Coriander) essential oil: antifungal activity and mode of action on Candida spp., and molecular targets affected in human whole-genome expression.

Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the oral cavity with increasingly worldwide prevalence and incidence rates. Novel specifically-targeted strategies to manage this ailment have been proposed using essential oils (EO) known to have antifungal properties. In this study, we aim to investigate the antifungal activity and mode of action of the EO from Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) leaves on Candida spp. In addition, we detected the molecular targets affected in whole-genome expression in human cells. The EO phytochemical profile indicates monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as major components, which are likely to negatively impact the viability of yeast cells. There seems to be a synergistic activity of the EO chemical compounds as their isolation into fractions led to a decreased antimicrobial effect. C. sativum EO may bind to membrane ergosterol, increasing ionic permeability and causing membrane damage leading to cell death, but it does not act on cell wall biosynthesis-related pathways. This mode of action is illustrated by photomicrographs showing disruption in biofilm integrity caused by the EO at varied concentrations. The EO also inhibited Candida biofilm adherence to a polystyrene substrate at low concentrations, and decreased the proteolytic activity of Candida albicans at minimum inhibitory concentration. Finally, the EO and its selected active fraction had low cytotoxicity on human cells, with putative mechanisms affecting gene expression in pathways involving chemokines and MAP-kinase (proliferation/apoptosis), as well as adhesion proteins. These findings highlight the potential antifungal activity of the EO from C. sativum leaves and suggest avenues for future translational toxicological research.

Evidence of Heterokaryon compatibility on Candida albicans biofilm

Aims: Candida species, especially Candida albicans, are frequently found associated with biomaterials and immunosuppressed patients, and have been described as the most virulent yeasts in human fungi diseases. These yeasts have recently been isolated from periodontal pockets, revealing the penetration of hyphae into the periodontal connective tissue. Methods: In this study, 7 periodontal C. Albicans strains were applied individually in biofilm development on titanium discs and the samples were thereafter analyzed as for the number of colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL), dry-weight and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Counting of CFU/ mL and determination of dry-weight showed that all samples formed biofilm. SEM analysis showed the development of a polymorphic network in the biofilms and the presence of hyphal anastomosis in the sites where fusion between the hyphae occurred. Conclusion: periodontal C. albicans strains present heterokaryon compatibility.