ANTI-ADHERENT ACTIVITY OF PHYTOTHERAPIC PRODUCTS ON STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent oral diseases, which encourages the development of new therapeutic alternatives aiming at its control. Objective: To evaluate the anti-adherent effects of phytotherapic agents against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175). Material and Methods: The tinctures of Plectrantus amboinicus, Conyza bonariensis and Cymbopogon citratus, obtained in compounding pharmacy, were used in this study for determination of their Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Adherence (MICA). Chlorhexidine (0.12%) and grain alcohol were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. In order to determine the MICA, S. mutans was inoculated in Mueller Hinton broth supplemented with 10% sucrose in the presence of different concentrations of the products. Then the test tubes were placed in an incubator with a 30° tilt angle under microaerophilic atmosphere for 48 h. This procedure allowed for the development of an adhesive pellicle onto the glass. Subsequently, the tubes were washed with phosphate buffer solution and dyed with plaque disclosing solution (Replac). All tests were performed in duplicate and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The MICA of the tinctures that prevented S. mutans adherence to the glass tubes was 200 µg/mL. Conclusion: The tinctures proved to be effective in preventing S. mutans adherence to glass tubes. DESCRIPTORS Phytotherapy; Microbiology; Bacterial Adhesion.