Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de antisséptico oral a base de melão-de-São-Caetano (Momordica charantia) sobre microrganismos patogênicos da cavidade oral

Abstract

Although it is an exotic vegetable, the San Caetano Melon (Momordica charantia) is widely known for its biological properties. In the ethnopharmacological literature, M. charantia has been used for home treatment of pathologies such as mycoses, boils, and treatment of scabies, among others. Moreover, new pharmacological potentials of the species stand out, these are related to its antiulcerogenic, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, antilipidemic, hypoglycemic, larvicidal and antimicrobial properties. Based on this, the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate in vitro an antiseptic bioproduct for the control of microorganisms present in oral affections common in companion animals, as well as to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extracts and the determination of the flavonoid content. For this, the leaves and seeds of M. charantia were collected and submitted to a cleaning and drying process, and the material was ground individually. Then, the plant material was macerated with 99.5% ethanol, and later filtered and rotary evaporated, leaving only the crude ethanolic extract. The material was diluted in concentrations of 1, 0,5, 0,25, 0,125 and 0,062 mg.mL-1, to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against Pasteurella multocida, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida famata. From the MIC values, the mouthwash was produced. In the present study, the ethanolic extract and the mouthwash produced with the extracts of M. charantia leaves and seeds (1 mg.mL-1) were able to inhibit the growth of Pasteurella multocida. According to the literature, flavonoids are the compounds responsible for this antibacterial activity. In addition, there was also inhibition of the growth of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida famata. For ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity, the ethanolic extract of M. charantia leaves and seeds had better ABTS results. The M. charantia leaf and seed extract at 1 mg.mL-1 showed significant antioxidant activity even at low concentrations. These results suggest that the rinse based on M. chatantia has great antibacterial potential and may serve as a basis for a phytotherapic for the control of microorganisms in the oral cavity, such as candidiasis and feline gingival-stomatitis complex.