ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF UNCARIA TOMENTOSA AND CALCIUM HYDROXIDE ON ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS.
Bacterial persistence at root canal level is one of the main causes of failure in endodontic treatment. Enterococcus Faecalis is one of the most persistent bacteria in root canals level and immune at the presence of chemically pure calcium hydroxide, broadly used as intracanal medication.If improve of calcium hydroxide properties is achieved associating it to Uncaria Tomentosa (Willd) D.C. (Cat’s Claw), an unknown antibacterial effect for this medical plant at root canals level is achieved. Objective:To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Uncaria Tomentosa (Willd) D.C. associated to calcium hydroxide chemically pure on Enterococcus Faecalis.Methodology:Uncaria Tomentosa was used in concentration of 10, 20, 40 and 80mg associated to calcium hydroxide chemically pure. Antibacterial effect was evaluated placing cylinders of the experimental association into petri plates that were inoculated previously with Enterococcus Faecalis. At the end of each examination time the Colony Forming Units/ml (CFU/ml) and pH were evaluated. Results: It shows when using the experimental association at 40mg of concentration of Uncaria Tomentosa (Willd) D.C. the total elimination of the bacteria takes place at 21 days; when concentration is 80mg, at 14 days there is no presence of Enterococcus Faecalis. At 20mg or lower concentrations of Uncaria Tomentosa there is a tendency to increase the pH until the day 14 to decrease up to 9.11. Starting from 40mg of Uncaria Tomentosa, pH is alkaline in all the cases, increasing at levels of 11 after the day 7, until the last control day. Conclusions: There is significant relationship in CFU of Enterococcus Faecalis elimination and the experimental association of Uncaria Tomentosa with calcium hydroxide.