Synergism between plant extract and antimicrobial drugs used on Staphylococcus aureus diseases

Searches for substances with antimicrobial activity are frequent, and medicinal plants have been considered interesting by some researchers since they are frequently used in popular medicine as remedies for many infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to verify the synergism between 13 antimicrobial drugs and 8 plant extracts - guaco (Mikania glomerata), guava (Psidium guajava), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), garlic (Allium sativum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), carqueja (Baccharis trimera), and mint (Mentha piperita) - against Staphylococcus aureus strains, and for this purpose, the disk method was the antimicrobial susceptibility test performed. Petri dishes were prepared with or without dilution of plant extracts at sub-inhibitory concentrations in Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA), and the inhibitory zones were recorded in millimeters. In vitro anti-Staphylococcus aureus activities of the extracts were confirmed, and synergism was verified for all the extracts; clove, guava, and lemongrass presented the highest synergism rate with antimicrobial drugs, while ginger and garlic showed limited synergistic capacity.

Antimicrobial activity of propolis and essential oils and synergism between these natural products

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sinergismo entre óleos essenciais e drogas antimicrobianas sobre linhagens de Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli isoladas de casos clínicos humanos

Estudos com plantas e utilização em terapias combinatórias têm sido estimulados. Verificou-se as possíveis interações entre óleos essenciais de plantas [canela (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume Lauraceae), capim-cidreira (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Poaceae), hortelã-pimenta (Mentha piperita L. Lamiaceae), gengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe Zingiberaceae), cravo-da-índia (Caryophillus aromaticus L. Myrtaceae) e alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L. Lamiaceae)] combinados a oito drogas antimicrobianas frente a doze linhagens de Staphylococcus aureus e doze de Escherichia coli isoladas de humanos. Após determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) para os óleos pelo método da diluição foram realizados ensaios para verificação de sinergismo entre os óleos essenciais e os antimicrobianos pela metodologia de Kirby & Bauer. S. aureus foi mais suscetível às interações óleos e drogas, tendo o óleo de capim cidreira apresentado sinergismo com as oito drogas testadas, seguido pelo óleo de hortelã com sete drogas. Nos ensaios com E. coli, houve sinergismo apenas para os óleos de alecrim (três drogas) e capim-cidreira (duas drogas). Não ocorreram casos de antagonismo e os resultados de sinergismo foram influenciados pelos microrganismos estudados.

Obtenção e uso das plantas medicinais no distrito de Martim Francisco, Município de Mogi-Mirim, SP, Brasil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Yield and composition of the essential oil of Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) grown with biosolid

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Qualidade de rosas de corte tratadas com produtos naturais

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of Natural Products for Post-Harvest Preservation of 'Vega' Cut Roses

Use of natural products as floral preservatives has helped to reduce the indiscriminate use of chemical products in flower preservation. In this study, we tested the ability of certain natural products to maintain the quality and to increase the commercial durability of 'Vega' cut roses. We employed a randomized factorial design with six post-harvest treatments and four evaluation dates. The following treatments were tested: 1) distilled water; 2) methyl jasmonate (350 mu M) applied in a four-hour pulse; 3) methyl jasmonate (500 mu M) spraying; 4) mint oil (100 ppm); 5) ginger oil (100 ppm); and 6) propolis (0.05%) as a maintenance solution. Flowers were kept at 20+/-2 degrees C and 67+/-3% RH. Physiological and qualitative evaluations were conducted. Natural products had a beneficial effect on the shelf life of the flowers. However, for all evaluated parameters, the methyl jasmonate spray was the most efficient treatment to maintain floral quality, resulting in less fresh-mass loss and a lower flower respiratory rate. Methyl jasmonate spray also improved the maintenance of coloration, relative water content and concentration of reducing sugars, thus extending the shelf life of roses.

Bioatividade de plantas medicinais no controle de Sclerotinia isolado de Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni

The microorganism Sclerotinia was isolated from roots of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni in plantations in the northwest of Parana and submitted to the cultivation in the presence of extracts and vegetable balsams of Tarragon (Artemisia draconculus), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Manjerona (Origanum majorona), Mint citrata (Mintpiperita var. citrata), Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Andiroba (Carapa guanensis) and Copaíba (Copaifera reticulata Ducke). The first five oils were extracted by steam drags, after the drying of the vegetable in greenhouse with circulation of air at 45°C. The last two were used in natura. A suspension (100ìl) of fungus previously cultivated, was added to each plate. The results show that after 7 days of incubation the thyme oils 10ìl, purple basil 25ìl, manjerona 25ìl, mint citrata 50ìl, tarragon 50ìl were capable to inhibit the growth of Sclerotinia, while the andiroba oil only reached this result with 200ìl. The copaiba balsam, even in the concentration of 500ìl, was unable to inhibit the growth of the microorganism.

Clinical evaluation of an ointment with 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine in the treatment of alveolitis.

AIM: In this study, the authors evaluate the use of a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine ointment, using a lanolin base and mint as flavoring, to treat alveolitis in humans. METHODS: Twenty-five patients, with a diagnosis of alveolitis, were treated in the following way: locoregional anesthesia; surgical cleaning of the socket with alveolar curettes; saline solution irrigation with a 20 ml disposable syringe; and complete filling of the socket with the ointment. RESULTS: The analysis of the results showed that the painful symptoms were severe before and on the day of the treatment in 17 (68%) of the 25 patients treated. Post-treatment analysis presented 2 patients (18%) with severe painful symptoms after 24 h of the treatment and complete remission of painful symptoms after 48 h of the treatment with the ointment. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, it is possible to conclude that the 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine ointment, with mint flavoring and lanolin as a base, can be used to treat alveolitis.

Histological investigation of a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing on wound healing in rats.

AIM: Alveolitis is considered a disturbance of the alveolar healing process that is characterized by blood clot disintegration, alveolar wall infection and extreme pain. Several substances have been investigated to improve healing and guarantee postoperative comfort to patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate, microscopically, in rats, the healing process in non-infected tooth sockets, after application of a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing, using lanolin as vehicle and mint as flavoring. METHODS: Forty-five rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) had their right incisor extracted and were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=15): Group I (control): the sockets were filled with blood clot; Group II: application of adrenaline solution at 1:1 000 with an absorbent paper point during 1 min plus filling of the socket with a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing, with lanolin as vehicle, and mint as flavoring; Group III: filling of the socket with the 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing, with lanolin as vehicle and mint as flavoring. After 6, 15 and 28 days postoperatively, 5 animals per group were euthanized with an injectable anesthetic overdose. Histological and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The results showed that the 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing with lanolin as vehicle and mint as flavoring yielded similar response as that of the normal repair group and may be used to prevent the onset of alveolitis in those cases in which any predisposing factor is present. CONCLUSIONS: The use of this dressing has shown a good postoperative patient's comfort and does not cause a significant delay in the alveolar healing process.

Cálcio e ethephon no desenvolvimento e produção de óleo essencial de menta (Mentha Piperita L.), cultivada em solução nutritiva

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Potencialização de óleos essenciais como antimicrobianos aplicados em produtos lácteos fermentados

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Música, educação e indústria cultural: o loteamento do espaço sonoro no espaço escolar

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Produtos naturais no controle do ácaro Varroa destructor em abelhas Apis mellifera L. (africanizadas)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Physiological indexese macro- and micronutrients in plant tissue and essential oil of Mentha piperita L. grown in nutrient solution with variation in N, P, K and Mg levels

Mentha piperita L. is an aromatic and medicinal species of the family Lamiaceae, known as mint or peppermint, and its leaves and branches produce essential oil rich in menthol. This study aimed to evaluate physiological indexes, macro- and micronutrients inthe shootsand essential oil of Mentha piperita L. grown in nutrient solution number 2 of Hoagland and Arnon (1950) with different N, P, K and Mg levels. Shoot length, dry mass of the different organs, total dry mass, leaf area, essential oil yield and composition, and macronutrient (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S) and micronutrient (Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn) contents in the shoot were evaluated. Plants treated with 65%N/50%P/25%K/100%Mg had a tendency towards longer shoot, greaterroot and leaf blade dry masses, higher essential oil yield, higher menthol levels and lower menthone levels. The results showed that Mentha can be grown in nutrient solution by reducing 65% N, 50% P, 25% K and 100% Mg. This solution had better development compared to the other tested treatments. Therefore,we recommendMentha piperita L. to be grown with such nutrient levels.