Efeitos antimicrobianos, antiácidos e removedores de biofilme de algumas espécies vegetais Amazônicas sobre o Streptococcus Mutans

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans is the principal bacteria implicated in the cariogenicity and dental plaque formation known as biofilm. Dental caries are caused by the colonization and accumulation of oral microorganisms, and adherence is the first step in the colonization process. Strains of Streptococcus mutans ferment dietary carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, adhere to the dental enamel surface by hydrophobic bonds of products deriving from this metabolism, promoting firm adherence and cellular aggregation of bacteria to the tooth surface. Acids produced in the process are critical in the development of dental caries. Despite several antiplaque agents being available in the market, the search for an efetive agent still continues. Natural products have been used in folk medicine and shown to be a good alternative for caries prevention. The objective of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of the crude extracts and oils from some Amazonian vegetal species on adherence, microbial activity and acidogenecity of Streptococcus mutans. The selected species were andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.), copaíba (Copaifera multijuga Hayne), castanha do brasil (Betholletia excelsa Humb & Bonpl.), jaca (Artocarpus integrifolia L.F.), tiririca (Cyperus rotundus L.), cipó-cravo (Tynanthus elegans Miers), breu-branco (Protium heptaphyllum March), pau-rosa (Aniba roseodora Ducke), sacaca (Croton Cajucara Benth) and laranjinha (Guatteria citriodora Ducke). Essential oils of breu-branco, breu-branco plus linalool from pau-rosa, copaíba, laranjinha, pau-rosa, sacaca and tiririca along with tiririca chloroform extract, cipó-cravo and tiririca hexane extracts presented an inhibition halo, showing antibacterial activity. Among the oils and extracts studied, laranjinha essential oil evidenced stronger antibacterial activity. On the plaque remotion tests, the best results were presented by tiririca and breu branco essential oils and tiririca ethanol extract. The investigation of antiacid properties showed that the mixture of andiroba chloroform extract with the control constituted by culture liquid medium and propyleneglycol presented pH 7,5, unfavorable to bacteria growth. In conclusion, the species studied presented potential for further development of biotechnological antiplaque and anticaries agents.