EFFECT OF SPONDIA MOMBIN (CAJA) LEAF EXTRACT ON THE SURFACE OF HUMAN TEETH
Phytotherapeutic drugs. Spondias. Spectroscopy. Tooth.
INTRODUCTION: Phytotherapy aims to prevent and cure diseases or minimize their symptoms. It presents advantages as an affordable cost to the population and public health services as well as great availability of raw material. It also has a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions that include, among others, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anxiolytic and healing activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate tooth surface changes regarding cajá (Spondias mombin L.) extract. METHOD: Thirty human teeth were sectioned (6.0 x 6.0 mm) preserving the proximal surfaces. Dental fragments were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 per group) according to the substances: hydroethanolic extract (31,25 mg/ml), 0.12% chlorhexidine and distilled water. Each fragment was immersed in the respective substance for 1 minute, twice daily for 14 days. Before and after the immersion, color analysis, wettability, roughness (Ra) and morphology as well as the pH levels of the substances were investigated. Data were analyzed statistically by means of ANOVA (one and two factors) and Tukey test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between color in the different substances. Cajá extract and 0.12% chlorhexidine presented significant differences (p <0.001), while distilled water showed no statistical differences (p> 0.005). Regarding wettability, there was no statistically significant difference between Cajá extract (p>0.005), 0.12% chlorhexidine, and distilled water (p>0.005). For roughnes, there was no statistically significant difference between the analyzed substances (p>0.0005). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between the substances and immersion time (p <0.0001). The mean pH of the hydroethanolic extract of cajá and 0.12% chlorhexidine is 2.95 and 6.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: pH of the extract of S.mombin L. is acid of the chlorhexidine is neutral. The wettability of the hydroethanolic extract of cajá was as good as 0.12% chlorhexidine. Color changes were observed after the immersion in hydroethanolic extract of cajá and 0.12% chlorhexidine. Roughness of the analyzed dental fragments remained unchanged after the immersion protocols. Scanning electron microscopy showed no difference in the enamel surface between the solutions tested.