Study of antibacterial action of hydroalcoholic extract of propolis red on Enterococcus faecalis

Introduction:Propolis is a complex resinous substance produced by bees that has therapeutic properties, such as antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory, healing. Few studies exist on the red variety of propolis, found in the state of Sergipe.Objective:Evaluation of the antimicrobial action of the extract of propolis red collected in the northeastern state of Sergipe, against strains of Enterococcus faecalis.Material and method:The red propolis samples were collected in Brejo Grande/SE – Brazil and identified according to their sensory characteristics, granulometry and physical chemical requirements. The content of flavonoids in dried extract was determined. Solutions of red propolis (EEP) were prepared at concentrations of 1%; 2.5%; 5% and 7.5%. The bacterial strain used was Enterococcus faecalis – ATCC 29212. The antibacterial activity was verified by in vitro tests (disk diffusion test and determination of minimum bactericidal concentration – CBM) and ex vivo (using human extracted teeth). The test, ex vivo contaminated teeth were divided into three groups with 10 teeth each. Group 1 was treated with propolis to 7.5% (concentration determined in CBM test), the Group 2 was treated as positive control with sodium hypochlorite solution 2.5% and Group 3 was used as a negative control and was treated only with sterile saline.Result:The extract of propolis promoted inhibition zone compared to results from solution of sodium hypochlorite to 2.5%, showing values between 12 and 16 mm. There was no bacterial growth after root conduct irrigation with EEP to 7.5%.Conclusion:Propolis collected showed medium content of flavonoids (1.8%) and physical chemical characteristics consistent to those required by the Brazilian Government. At 7.5% of propolis extract, we observed a higher antibacterial potential than others groups.