Introduction:

Phytoconstituents are natural molecules displaying satisfactory antimicrobial activity. Studies should be conducted about their use as new root canal irrigants.

Objective:

Evaluate the inhibitory effect of the phytoconstituents cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol against mono- and duo-species biofilms of microorganisms involved in endodontic infection.

Methods:

An experimental applied microbiology blind randomized in vitro study was conducted. The phytoconstituents selected were cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol. Antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated by metabolic capacity analysis with resazurin and cell viability analysis by the plaque. The culture medium and 1% chlorhexidine served as negative and positive controls, respectively.

Results:

An absence of growth was observed for exposure of the biofilms at concentrations of 10 and 5 mg/ml of both phytoconstituents. At a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml terpineol displayed growth only in the mono-species biofilms of C. albicans and duo-species biofilms. At a concentration of 1 mg/ml terpineol and cinnamaldehyde displayed growth in all biofilms.

Conclusions:

Cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol displayed inhibitory activity against mono- and duo-species biofilms of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis at concentrations of 10 and 5 mg/ml.

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