Antibacterial Profile of Copaifera multijuga Oleoresin and Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves Against Oral Pathogens

Abstract

<P>Background: Copaifera multijuga are widely used as medicinal plants in Brazil. Of the various ethnopharmacological indications of copaiba oleoresins, the antimicrobial activity had been highlighted. </P><P> Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the oleoresin and the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves from Copaifera multijuga against oral pathogens in the sessile and in the planktonic modes. </P><P> Methods: Standard strains from the American Type Culture Collection and clinical isolates which cause both cariogenic and endodontic infections were used. Was evaluated in terms of its Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates, Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and biofilm eradication assay. </P><P> Results: The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays showed that the oleoresin was effective against some the bacterial strains. Assessment of the antibiofilm activity of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves from C. multijuga against the evaluated microaerophilic bacteria in the sessile mode gave IC50 values of 318.0 and 695.6 µg/mL against S. mitis (ATCC 49456) and A. actinomycetemcomintans (ATCC 43717), respectively. As for the assayed anaerobic bacteria, the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves gave IC50 of 4554.0, 2218.0, and 600.1 µg/mL against F. nucleatum (Clinical isolate), P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277), and P. micros (Clinical isolate), respectively, whereas the oleoresin afforded IC50 of 357.1 µg/mL against P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277). </P><P> Conclusion: The oleoresin and hydroalcoholic extract of leaves displayed satisfactory activity against the main oral pathogens in both sessile and planktonic modes. The oleoresin and hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves from C. multijuga are potential candidates for the development of new products for dental and oral care.</P>