ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Curcuma longa L. IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASES IN DOGS AND CATS

Abstract

Periodontal disease is the most common condition in dogs and cats. Currently, the most effective substance in the control of bacterial plaques to carry out oral cleaning in pets is Chlorhexidine, but its prolonged use causes many side effects. As an alternative, the use of medicinal plants has been gaining ground in veterinary medicine, Curcuma longa L., for example, has great therapeutic potential. Curcumin has aroused interest in the field of periodontics due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action. Seeking an alternative with fewer or no side effects, the present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial action of Curcuma longa L. on some microorganisms that cause this disease. The dry extract of turmeric and the chlorhexidine digluconate were purchased commercially from a compounding pharmacy, where, subsequently, the aqueous extracts were obtained in concentrations of 1%; 2.5%; 5%; 10% and 20% and 2% chlorhexidine solution. The inoculum was prepared, on a MacFarland scale of 0.5, for the strains of E. coli and S. aureus. All concentrations were tested in triplicate. 2% chlorhexidine digluconate was used as a positive control and a solution of distilled water with polysorbate 20 as a negative control. Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to the aqueous extract of Curcuma longa, while Escherichia coli showed resistance. Because this study aims to prevent periodontal diseases, the effectiveness of the aqueous extract of curcuma longa on the Gram positive bacteria that is present in the initial phase of this disease in dogs and catas canos de rolde out, pince it demonstrante sensitivity, making further research necessary to corroborate this study.