Therapeutic Potential of Propolis From Different Origin in Dental Caries

Biological properties of propolis from different countries have been determined, but there is rare data for samples of dry zones found in Zacatecas, México. Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial activity of ZAC1 and ZAC2 propolis from Jerez, Zacatecas, and one from Zulia, Venezuela, on cariogenic bacteria. Methods: Strains tested included Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478 and Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393. MICs were estimated in brain heart (BH) and Mueller Hinton agar (MH) plates added with ethanolic extracts (10%) wtih 25 to 10000 μg/ml; media for lactobacilli were acidified (pH 4.5). Plates were inoculated with 100 µl of a 24 h culture in broth, adjusted to 0.35-0.40 (O.D. at λ=630 nm) and incubated 48 hs at 37ºC in CO₂ atmosphere (5%). Controls included media without propolis. MBC essays consisted in swabbing plates showing no growth and spreading samples on media without propolis. Results: MICs (μg/ml) in BH, for ZAC1 and ZAC2, were: 400/400 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175; 100/200 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668; 100/100 for Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478, and 500/400 for Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393, MBCs (μg/ml) were: 800/800 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175; 1200/500 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668; 100/100 for Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478, and 500/500 for Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393. MICs (μg/ml) in MH, for ZAC1 and ZAC2, were: 100/100 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175; 50/100 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668; 100/200 for Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478, and 200/200 for Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393, and MBCs (μg/ml) were: 1300/1100 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175; 300/300 for Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668; 500/200 for Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478, and 300/200 for Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393. Zulia's propolis inhibition varied from 2500 to 10000 μg/ml. Conclusions: Jerez's propolis may be an alternative for chemical control of dental caries.