Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of EGCG, derived from green tea, against microorganisms involved on infectious oral diseases

Abstract

The biological, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenol bioactive derived from green tea, which plays proven action in the prevention and treatment of various systemic diseases, might also play a role in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases that affect the oral cavity. It is known that, in the treatment of infectious diseases of the oral cavity like in periodontal and periapical disease or opportunistic infections, such as candidiasis due to the use of poorly adapted immunosuppressive or prostheses, the use of cytotoxic drugs, such as antimicrobial extended wear (chlorhexidine) has side effects, which makes necessary the search for natural, non-toxic agents which can prevent and treat such conditions. Aimed at developing an EGCG-based formulation to present effective antimicrobial action against etiological agents of major infectious diseases that affect the oral cavity (periodontal disease, periapical and candidiasis), it is necessary to first evaluate its antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial activity of EGCG derived from green tea against microorganisms involved in infectious diseases that affect the oral cavity. It will be evaluated in vitro antimicrobial activity of EGCG against E. faecalis, P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, S. aureus, S. aureus multidrug-resistant (MRSA) and C. albicans, by determining Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). It is expected to determine the antimicrobial activity of EGCG and eventually develop a natural formulation to be used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases that affect the oral cavity.