The most prevalent and consequential oral disease worldwide is tooth
decay, which presents serious economic and health burdens, significantly
reducing the quality of life of those affected. Ethnopharmacological studies
show that population groups have used plant extracts for centuries to control
cavities. Scientific research demonstrates the effectiveness of extracts from
medicinal plants against oral microorganisms and, consequently, their
benefits on the oral health of individuals. Thus, the proposed study aims at
pre-clinical efficacy and safety studies, preliminary to the development of an
herbal mouthwash, with antimicrobial action, based on essential oil and
ethanolic extracts from the rhizomes and solid residue originating from a
medicinal plant and aromatic plant from the Amazon, priprioca (Cyperus
articulatus). After obtaining the essential oil, the ethanolic extract from the
intact rhizomes and the ethanolic extract from the solid residue of C.
articulatus, we carried out chemical characterization by gas
chromatography (GC-MS) of these extracts and the antimicrobial activity
was defined by the in vitro concentration test. Minimum Inhibitory Control
(MIC) on Streptococcus mutans. Toxicity was assessed by in vitro cell
viability tests on Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts (MTT) and ocular irritation on chicken
egg chorio-allantoic membrane (HET-CAM); and by testing acute oral
toxicity and irritation of the oral mucosa in rats. Sesquiterpenes were
identified as the main constituents of the essential oil and extracts,
mustacone as the main compound. The essential oil and extract from intact
priprioca rhizomes demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity at
concentrations of 0.46 mg/ml and 0.29 mg/ml, respectively, against S.
mutans and lack of toxicity for all substances tested. These results can
validate the use of these natural products in Dentistry and accredit the
bioactives as a potential natural anticariogenic drug; In this way, seeking
prevention alternatives in oral health and reducing the rate of caries disease
in the region.
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