Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Lippia sidoides, carvacrol and thymol against oral pathogens

M.A Botelho,N.A.P Nogueira,F.J.A Matos,T.L.G Lemos,J Heukelbach,G.M Bastos,G.A.C Brito,S.G.C Fonseca,V.S Rao,D Montenegro

doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2007000300010

M.A Botelho, N.A.P Nogueira + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x2007000300010

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Abstract

Dental caries and periodontal disease are associated with oral pathogens. Several plant derivatives have been evaluated with respect to their antimicrobial effects against such pathogenic microorganisms. Lippia sidoides Cham (Verbenaceae), popularly known as "Alecrim-pimenta" is a typical shrub commonly found in the Northeast of Brazil. Many plant species belonging to the genus Lippia yield very fragrant essential oils of potential economic value which are used by the industry for the commercial production of perfumes, creams, lotions, and deodorants. Since the leaves of L. sidoides are also extensively used in popular medicine for the treatment of skin wounds and cuts, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the composition and antimicrobial activity of L. sidoides essential oil. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Twelve compounds were characterized, having as major constituents thymol (56.7%) and carvacrol (16.7%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil and the major components was tested against cariogenic bacterial species of the genus Streptococcus as well as Candida albicans using the broth dilution and disk diffusion assays. The essential oil and its major components thymol and carvacrol exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against the organisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.625 to 10.0 mg/mL. The most sensitive microorganisms were C. albicans and Streptococcus mutans. The essential oil of L. sidoides and its major components exert promising antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens and suggest its likely usefulness to combat oral microbial growth.

Highlights

The early stage of dental caries is characterized by a destruction of superficial dental structures caused by acids which are byproducts of carbohydrate metabolism by cariogenic bacteria [1]
Analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) facilitated the identification of oil components (Table 1)
Our data show that the essential oil tested and its major phenolic compounds showed good antimicrobial activity against the main group of cariogenic

Summary

Introduction

The early stage of dental caries is characterized by a destruction of superficial dental structures caused by acids which are byproducts of carbohydrate metabolism by cariogenic bacteria [1]. Candida albicans is found in infections of the mouth, vagina, lungs, and in skin lesions [2]. It is by far the fungal species most commonly isolated from infected root canals, showing resistance to intracanal medication [3]. The ability to form a biofilm and to invade dentinal tubules may help to explain the association with cases of persistent root canal infections [3,4,5]. Colonization of teeth by cariogenic bacteria is one of the most important risk factors in the development of dental diseases with Streptococcus mutans being the primary species associated with the early dental caries process [1]

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