title: Plant species used in dental diseases: ethnopharmacology aspects and antimicrobial activity evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethnopharmacological surveys show that several plant species are used empirically by the population, in oral diseases. However, it is necessary to check the properties of these plant species.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans from plant species selected in a previous ethnopharmacology study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted with users of a dental clinic school services, located in Sao Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, aiming to identify plant species used in oral diseases treatment. From the ethnopharmacological survey, species were selected for in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation against Streptococcus mutans, by agar diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and seventy one people participated in the research: 55.7% reported the use of plants for medicinal purposes, 29.5% of which have knowledge and/or use plants for some type of oral disease. Thirty four species belonging to 24 (twenty four) botanical families were reported, being Aloe vera L., Anacardium occidentale L., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Punica granatum L. the most cited. The most commonly reported indications were healing after tooth extraction, followed by toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums., The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) demonstrated that Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed similar activity to 0.12% chlorhexidine, used as positive control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  That result is important to follow up the study of these species in the search for new anticariogenic agents originated by plants.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Portugueses Avenue, s/n, Odontology Building, 65085-580 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Electronic address: deniserpvieira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Denise R P
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Portugueses Avenue, s/n, Pharmacy Building, 65085-580 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flavia MaM
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Portugueses Avenue, s/n, Immune Physiology Laboratory, 65085-580 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia C G
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Portugueses Avenue, s/n, Immune Physiology Laboratory, 65085-580 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávia R F
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Portugueses Avenue, s/n, Odontology Building, 65085-580 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvana A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Libério
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Portugueses Avenue, s/n, Odontology Building, 65085-580 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vandílson P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antimicrobial activity; In vitro; Medicinal plants; Oral health; Streptococcus mutans; Vegetal extracts