Plasma is an electrically conducting medium that responds to electric and magnetic fields. It consists of large quantities of highly reactive species, such as ions, energetic electrons, exited atoms and molecules, ultraviolet photons, and metastable and active radicals. Non-thermal or cold plasmas are partially ionized gases whose electron temperatures usually exceed several tens of thousand degrees K, while the ions and neutrals have much lower temperatures. Due to the presence of reactive species at low temperature, the biological effects of non-thermal plasmas have been studied for application in the medical area with promising results. This review outlines the application of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) in dentistry for the control of several pathogenic microorganisms, induction of anti-inflammatory, tissue repair effects and apoptosis of cancer cells, with low toxicity to healthy cells. Therefore, CAPP has potential to be applied in many areas of dentistry such as cariology, periodontology, endodontics and oral oncology.

Candida spp. are naturally opportunistic and can promote infections. These yeasts can form biofilm, after penetration and adhesion to the biotic or abiotic surfaces. Preexisting diseases, treatments with drugs and radiation therapy, medical procedures, and parafunctional habits favor the installation of a fungal infection. Increased resistance to the available antifungals has become a concern. Therefore, alternative methods to control them have been evaluated, including the use of plant substances. In this study, the antibiofilm effect of R. officinalis L. extract was analyzed on C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed. Biofilms were formed for 48 h and exposed to the different concentrations of the extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/mL) for 5 min or 24 h. The effect of the plant extract was compared to the antifungal nystatin. Rosmarinus officinalis L. extract was constituted of phenols and flavonoids, highlighting the presence of chlorogenic acid derivatives in its composition. Biofilm reductions were observed after exposure to the plant extract for both periods. The plant extract provided a reduction similar to the antifungal. Thus, R. officinalis L. extract showed antibiofilm effect on Candida spp. comparable to the nystatin.

Aim: Plant products have been evaluated to control opportunistic micro-organisms, as well as fortify immune system cells. Thus, Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) extract was evaluated in interactions of ...

This study aimed to determine the effects of low-temperature plasma jet produced in gas helium (LTP-helium) on cariogenic biofilms composedby Streptococcusmutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii, and also by the combination of Candida albicans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and S. mutans. Biofilms were treated for 1, 3, 5, and 7 minutes. A 0.12% chlorhexidine solution was used as the positive control and sterile physiologic solution was the negative control. Biofilm viability was analyzed by viable cell recovery, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. All assays were performed intriplicate in three independent experiments. Multispecies biofilms exposed to LTP-helium had a significant reduction in viability when compared to the negative control (p < 0.0001). For biofilm formedby S. mutans, S. sanguinis, and S. gordonii, LTP treatments for 5 and 7 minutes caused similar reduction of morethan 2 log₁₀. Also, a significant reduction in the viability of biofilms formedby C. albicans, L. acidophilus, and S. mutans was detected (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, LTP-helium reduced theviability of cariogenic biofilms with different microbial compositions, which indicates that LTP-helium is a potential tool for developing new protocols for dental caries prevention and treatment.

Objective: Evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of Gymnema sylvestre, Hamamelis virginiana, Juglans regia, Persea americana, Pfaffia paniculata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Stryphnodendron barbatiman and Thymus vulgaris extracts in 3 MDR strains and 1 ATCC (4352) of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods: First were made a screening with broth microdilution test, protocol M7-A9, according to CLSI. Extracts that presented values for Minimal Microbicidal Concentration (MMC) were selected for biofilms tests on 96 wells plates. Treatments used concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/mL, after biofilms were measured by biomass and MTT tests and statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05). Results: All extracts showed MIC for all K. pneumoniae strains studied, with values ranging from 12.5-100 mg/mL. Biomass of the strains ATCC and MDR strain (400381) of K. pneumoniae obtained reductions of 37.7 and 44.3% with P. paniculata and R. officinalis extracts. The isolate 386546 obtained a reduction of 29.7% (p<0.05) under R. officinalis action. Conclusion: Among the extracts studied, those that were most effective in the anti-biofilm action were J. regia, P. paniculata and R. officinalis. Therefore, these extracts could act as bactericidal agents against K. pneumoniae MDR.