Antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa constituents against microorganisms commonly found in endodontic infections

Braz Dent J. 2005;16(3):192-6. doi: 10.1590/s0103-64402005000300004. Epub 2006 Jan 12.

Abstract

This study evaluated in vitro the antimicrobial activity of rough extracts from leaves of Arctium lappa and their phases. The following microorganisms, commonly found in the oral cavity, specifically in endodontic infections, were used: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans. The agar-diffusion method allowed detection of the hexanic phase as an inhibitor of microbial growth. Bioautographic assays identified antimicrobial substances in the extract. The results showed the existence, in the rough hexanic phase and in its fractions, of constituents that have retention factors (Rf) in three distinct zones, thereby suggesting the presence of active constituents with chemical structures of different polarities that exhibited specificity against the target microorganisms. It may be concluded that the Arctium lappa constituents exhibited a great microbial inhibition potential against the tested endodontic pathogens.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Arctium*
  • Bacillus subtilis / drug effects
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Dental Pulp Diseases / microbiology*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Hexanes
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Methanol
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Solvents
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Hexanes
  • Plant Extracts
  • Solvents
  • ethyl acetate
  • Methanol