In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of CTZ paste and its components on standard microorganisms

Abstract

CTZ paste (chloramphenicol, tetracycline, zinc oxide and eugenol) is used to treat deciduous molars with necrotic pulp. The antimicrobial activity (AA) of different concentrations of the components of the CTZ paste against different microorganisms was evaluated in vitro. Thus, the medications were divided into 6 groups: P1: 250 mg of tetracycline + 250 mg of chloramphenicol + 500 mg of zinc oxide (ZO) + 0.6 ml of eugenol (original proportion), P2: 500 mg of tetracycline + 500 mg of ZO + 0.6 ml eugenol, P3: 500 mg chloramphenicol + 500 mg ZO + 0.6 ml eugenol, P4: 1000 mg ZO + 0.6 ml eugenol, P5: 0.006 ml eugenol, P6: 1000 mg of ZO + saline solution (0.85%), and evaluated against individual standard microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis. Agar diffusion tests (ADT) and direct exposure tests (DET) were applied. The data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey test (P<5) were applied. P1 had greater AA compared to the other groups. For the evaluation of Escherichia coli, no statistically significant difference was observed between groups P1 and P3. Direct exposure test demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness for groups P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 in the time intervals evaluated and ineffectiveness for P6 due to the absence of eugenol. Therefore, it can be concluded that group P1 presented the highest antimicrobial activity among groups in the ADT. DET demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness in groups with eugenol in its composition, which suggests a bactericidal effect of this component.

Keywords

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Dental Caries
• Eugenol
• Root Canal Filling Materials
• Zinc Oxide