INTRODUCTION: Several studies have evaluated the therapeutic benefits of plants. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi), aroeira (Astronium urundeuva [Fr. All.] Engl.), Olacaceae (Ximenia americana L.), quixaba (Syderoxylum obtusifolium [Roem et Schult.]), and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl 2.5%) against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212). METHODS: The agar diffusion test was performed and 0.12% chlorhexidine was applied as positive control. The microorganisms were allowed to grow in a brain-heart infusion broth (BHI) and incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. Subsequently, the microbial suspensions were seeded on Petri dishes containing Mueller Hinton agar, and six equidistant wells were made. The plates were kept at room temperature for 2 hours for the pre-diffusion of substances, and incubated at 37ºC for 48 hours. The analysis and measurement of inhibition zones were performed in triplicate, and the results were statistically analyzed (ANOVA test). RESULTS: Quixaba produced the smallest inhibition zones (t test, p < 0.05). On the other hand, 0.12% chlorhexidine, herbal extracts of pepper tree and aroeira at 100% concentration induced larger inhibition zones in comparison with 2.5% NaOCl, with statistically significant difference (t test, p < 0.05). At all concentrations, both pepper tree and aroeira showed a higher inhibition zone against Enterococcus faecalis in comparison with the other plant extracts tested. CONCLUSION: All the substances analyzed showed antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis. Therefore , they may represent alternative substances in endodontic treatment.
Plant extracts; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial action; Enterococcus faecalis
