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Planta Med 2011; 77(4): 401-404
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250354
Biological Screening
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Brazilian Medicinal Plant Extracts against Pathogenic Microorganisms of Interest to Dentistry

Elizete Maria Rita Pereira1 , Rafael Tomaz Gomes1 , Natália Ribeiro Freire1 , Evandro Guimarães Aguiar2 , Maria das Graças Lins Brandão3 , Vagner Rodrigues Santos1
  • 1Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  • 2Department of Oral Clinical, Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  • 3Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

received July 10, 2010 revised August 17, 2010

accepted August 20, 2010

Publication Date:
22 September 2010 (online)

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Abstract

This study evaluated the susceptibility of oral pathogenic microorganisms Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans to Brazilian medicinal plant extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius (aroeira), Croton campestris (velame), Lafoensia pacari (pacari), Centaurium erythraea (centáurea), Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão), and Anacardium humile (cajuzinho-do-cerrado), as compared to standardized antimicrobial agents (nystatin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline hydrochloride). Ethanol, hexane and butane fractions from stem barks, rinds, leaves, and/or roots were extracted and tested. Antimicrobial diffusion agar test and MIC were performed according to CLSI. After 24 h of incubation at 37 °C, the diameter of inhibition zones and spectrophotometer readings were measured and compared. The results were reported as means ± standard deviation (M ± SD). With the exception of five extracts that showed no antimicrobial activity, all the extracts tested showed antimicrobial activity, in different levels. This study suggests that extracts from the plants tested could be an alternative therapeutic option for infectious conditions of the oral cavity, such as denture stomatitis, dental caries, and periodontitis.

Key words

Brazilian medicinal plants - antimicrobial activity - oral microorganisms - MIC

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Prof. Dr. Vagner Rodrigues Santos

Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomaterials
School of Dentistry
Federal University of Minas Gerais

Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627

Belo Horizonte

Minas Gerais

Brazil CEP: 31270-901

Phone: +55 31 34 09 24 97

Fax: +55 31 34 09 24 30

Email: vegneer2003@yahoo.com.br