Copaifera lucens: antibacterial action of the hydroalcoholic crude extract and the oleoresin against oral pathogens and its cytotoxic and genotoxic potential

• Grant number: 16/20589-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2017
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
• Grantee: Vinicius Cristian Oti dos Santos
• 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 high incidence and prevalence of tooth decay has made it a public health problem. In industrialized countries, tooth decay is estimated to affect 60% to 90% of the school population and most adults. The distribution and severity of this disease varies in different continents, but it is more prevalent in socially and economically disadvantaged regions. Another major dental disease is periodontitis, a chronic infection of bacterial origin that is characterized as a collection of inflammatory conditions. Periodontitis begins by affecting the gingival tissue and may result in loss of tooth supporting tissues. The pharmacological study of Copaifera spp. has focused primarily on the anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, and healing actions, among others. This project aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the oleoresin and crude hydroalcoholic extract of Copaifera lucens against oral pathogenic bacteria and to assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the most promising samples. In vitro assays will be performed to test the antibacterial action and the cytotoxic potential of the oleoresin and the extract. Later, genotoxicity assays will be conducted in vivo. To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the target oleoresin and extract, the broth dilution method will be used; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) will be determined. The most promising samples will then be assessed for their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity toward mammalian cells. The results shall contribute to further research into compounds from natural origin that can improve the control of oral infections in humans while ensuring the safety of the treatment. (AU)