Bioactivity analysis of crude hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and oleoresin of Copaifera multijuga against oral pathogens

• Grant number: 14/09528-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
• Grantee: Iane Pereira Pimenta
• 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 oral cavity is a significantly complex structure, composed of more than 700 species of micro-organisms, some of which are pathogenic causing harm to oral structures, including dental caries and endodontic infections. In an attempt to prevent or treat diseases of the mouth caused by bacteria, studies have been conducted on the antimicrobial properties of plant products against bacteria that are present in this anatomical site. Furthermore, the choice of natural products becomes less aggressive to the human body. The oleoresin of copaiba tree is widely used in Brazil in popular medicine to treat various symptoms and diseases. Among the species of copaiba stands out the Copaifera multijuga, that through previous studies has anti-inflammatory , antimicrobial , antitumor , anti-nociceptive and leishmanicidal potential. The objective of this project is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of crude hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves and the oleoresin of C. multijuga against oral pathogen bacteria. A representative panel of bacteria that cause caries and endodontic infection will be used in the project. Evaluation of antibacterial activity will be performed by the broth microdilution technique for determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration ( MBC) and antibiofilm activity. This study may contribute to the emergence of new drugs in an attempt to prevent or treat oral infections that affect a large part of the population.