Antimicrobial and Antiinflammatory Potential of the Swedish Herbs Extract.

Abstract
Oral conditions that produce the greatest damage on individuals are cavities and periodontal disease, hence non-expensive and effective solutions are immediately required, particularly for communities with no access to dental services. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of the Swedish bitter herbal extract was evaluated, using pure microbial cultures and clinical samples of 29 patients. It was observed that the extract caused significant (p<0.05) in vitro growth inhibition of up to 29%, 17%, 15%, and 50% against Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus intermedius, respectively. In addition, the extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited oral flora growth in patient samples showing MICs of < 7.8 μg/ml in 21% of the patients, 15.6μg/ml in 17% of the patients, 31.2 μg/ml in 10% of the patients, 62.5 μg/ml in 17% of the patients, 125 μg/ml in 3% of the patients, and 250 μg/ml in 7% of the patients, and induced a maximum of 75% growth inhibition, as measured by the MTT reduction assay. The extract was also observed to significantly suppress production of the inflammatory marker nitric oxide by LPS-treated murine peritoneal macrophages. The Swedish herbal extract may be considered in the clinics to prevent or treat bacterial oral infections and at the same time reducing inflammation.
Description
Keywords
Bacteria, inflammation, medicinal plants, oral infection, Swedish herbal extract
Citation
Gomez-Flores R, González-Meléndez R, Ceballos-Salobreña A, Tamez-Guerra P, Tamez-Guerra R, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Monreal-Cuevas E, Garza-Ramos M A De La. Antimicrobial and Antiinflammatory Potential of the Swedish Herbs Extract. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2011 Oct-Dec; 1(4): 107-117.