Avaliação do potencial antimicrobiano do extrato do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (Nacardium Occidentale) contra cepas de Enterococcus Faecalis.

Abstract

The resistance of microorganisms present in the root canal system is a problem associated with the failure of endodontic treatments. Therefore, the search for treatments based on herbal extracts has been an alternative to prevent persistent endodontic infections. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the liquid extract of the cashew nut shell (Anacardium occidentale) against strains of Enterococcus faecalis. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. Petri dishes containing Mueller Hinton agar were inoculated on the surface by the microorganism using a swab, then 20 µL of the cashew nut shell liquid extract solution at concentrations of 500 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL was aseptically deposited in the wells of the inoculated media. The plates were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. All the strains studied showed an inhibition halo ≥ 6mm at both concentrations of the extract. Therefore, the extract of cashew nut shell liquid (A. occidentale) showed a potential antimicrobial effect against E. faecalis strains.