Antibacterial activity of the crude extract and derivatives from Copaifera langsdorffii against planktonic and sessile anaerobic bacteria

• Grant number: 12/12881-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): July 10, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
• Grantee: Letícia Matanovich Garcia
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/13630-7 - Chemical and pharmacological validation of extracts and active compounds of Copaifera species, AP.TEM

Abstract

The Brazilian flora has millions of species with potential application in the improvement of human life, industry, and therapeutic activities. In this context, Copaifera langsdorffii is an example of a plant with promising utilization in phytotherapy. Its resin-oil acts on the defense of plants against fungi and bacteria, and it displays well-known pharmaceutical properties with documented use in both folk and traditional medicine. These features have raised the interest of researchers in the dentistry area in this species. In the dentistry field, there is a constant search for medicinal plants that can be applied in the treatment of oral pathologies, such as periodontitis. The latter disease is one of the target conditions in the Brazilian public health system, and it is the second most prevalent oral disease according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health. This ailment, which has non-specific treatment, may culminate in loss of the buccal organ due to lack of support triggered by bacterial infections, which in turn may culminate in inflammation and hence exacerbate the damaging effects of the disease to the tissues. In this sense, the present work aims to evaluate the antibacterial potential of the crude extract and derivatives of the resin-oil from Copaifera langsdorffii against periodontopathogens. The broth microdilution method will be employed for the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration. The most promising compounds will be used for the calculation of the respective Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC). Biofilm formation will be standardized, and its sensitivity to the promising substances will be verified (antibiofilm activity). We hope that this project will contribute with relevant data for the study of new drugs from natural sources with antibacterial activity against periodontal diseases.(AU)