Antimicrobial Effect of Cinnamaldehyde and α-Terpineol on Endodontic Biofilms of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective was to assess the antimicrobial effect of cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol on mono-species and dual-species biofilms involved in endodontic infection. Materials and Methods: The phytoconstituents were used at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. The biofilms of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) were developed for 7 days and evaluated by metabolic capacity analysis using MTT, cell viability analysis by CFU/mL, and phospholipase activity. The RPMI 1640 medium was used as the negative control and sodium hypochlorite 2.5% and chlorhexidine 2% were used as positive controls. Data were analyzed by a Kruskal-Wallis test and stepwise with adjusted Bonferroni for nonnormal data and an ANOVA one-way test followed by Tukey's post hoc test for normal data (α = 5%). Results: The cellular metabolism of the C. albicans and E. faecalis mono-species biofilms was reduced by cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol (p < 0.05). For dual-species biofilm, only α-terpineol showed differences compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). The phytoconstituents showed an inhibitory effect on cell viability (CFU/mL) and phospholipase activity of biofilms, having an activity similar to sodium hypochlorite (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The phytoconstituents cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol, at a concentration of 10 mg/mL, had an inhibitory effect on mono-species and dual-species biofilms of E. faecalis and C. albicans.