Abstract
Protium heptaphyllum (PH) is rich in essential oil, has anti-inflammatory properties and has no toxic potential. However, data is unavailable about its antiseptic effect against bacteria that cause caries. This study aimed to evaluate the antiseptic effect of the toothbrush rinse of essential oil of PH as well as its chemical stability. The toothbrush rinse was prepared with 1% essential oil of PH. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oil and toothbrush rinse were evaluated against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175™). The ex vivo study was double-blinded and randomised; the children were divided into three groups, each participating in a crossover design where all solutions (water, toothbrush rinse (1%) and chlorhexidine (0.12%) were used in all stages by different groups of children. The chemical composition of the essential oil and toothbrush rinse were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The stability was evaluated at three time points. The essential oil and toothbrush rinse exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, MIC = 0.125 and 2.4 µg/ml. The toothbrush rinse showed the same effect as chlorhexidine on disinfecting the toothbrushes contaminated with mutans streptococci (pH = 57.3 ± 5.3%; chlorhexidine 55.5 ± 13.3%; water 39.4 ± 5.8%; p > 0.05). Chromatographic analysis showed that the essential oil contained monoterpenes as a major component, and the toothbrush rinse possessed the same constituents as the pure essential oil, except for α-terpineol. Storage did not cause chemical degradation of the toothbrush rinse, but decreased the concentration of the chemical constituents. The toothbrush rinse of essential oil of P. heptaphyllum showed antiseptic properties and exhibited antimicrobial activity against mutans streptococci. Key words: Mutans streptococci, Protium heptaphyllum, antimicrobial, monoterpenes, chemical composition, contamination of toothbrushes.
Highlights
Oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis in children and adolescents have an impact on the quality of life ofAfr
The study was completed with 21 children, because 18 children did not attend all stages of the study; these students were excluded from evaluation, which was the main limitation of the study
The toothbrush rinse containing the essential oil of P. heptaphyllum was able to reduce the formation of mutans streptococci (MS)
Summary
The most common activities used to reduce the oral microbial load are brushing one’s teeth with toothpaste, rinsing with mouthwash containing antiseptic solutions and dipping the brush in antiseptic solutions, such as chlorhexidine, xylitol and fluorine (Nelson-Filho et al, 2011; Subramaniam and Nandan, 2011; Efstratiou et al, 2007; Mehta et al, 2007). A study by Santos et al (2009) reports several plants used by a population for dental use, such as the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), purple cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), juá (Zizyphus joazeiro Mart), mint leaf (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Sprengel) and mastic (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) These plants are used because they are known for their analgesic, antiinflammatory and wound healing activities (Santos et al., 2009). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the P. heptaphyllum essential oil toothbrush rinse in the disinfection of toothbrushes and to evaluate the chemical stability of the formulation over 12 months
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
