Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis
06:50

Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis

Published on: January 7, 2019

Action of propolis and medications against Escherichia coli and endotoxin in root canals

Marcia Carneiro Valera1, Jucely Aparecida da Rosa, Lilian Eiko Maekawa

  • 1Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, Brazil. marcia@fosjc.unesp.br

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics
|September 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Propolis irrigation effectively eliminated Escherichia coli and reduced endotoxins in root canals. Calcium hydroxide-based intracanal medications further decreased endotoxin levels, showing the greatest efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Endodontics
  • Microbiology
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Infection and endotoxin presence are key challenges in endodontic treatment.
  • Propolis and various intracanal medications are explored for their antimicrobial and endotoxin-reducing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of propolis and different intracanal medications against Escherichia coli and its endotoxins in root canals.
  • To compare the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)), polymyxin B, and Ca(OH)(2) + 2% chlorhexidine gel.

Main Methods:

  • Dental roots were contaminated with E. coli and treated with propolis.
  • Root canals received intracanal medications: Ca(OH)(2), polymyxin B, Ca(OH)(2) + 2% chlorhexidine gel, or saline (control).
  • Colony-forming units and endotoxin levels (Limulus amebocyte lysate assay) were quantified.

Main Results:

  • Propolis irrigation eradicated E. coli and significantly reduced endotoxin levels.
  • All tested intracanal medications demonstrated a significant decrease in endotoxins.
  • Medications containing Ca(OH)(2) exhibited the highest efficacy in endotoxin reduction.

Conclusions:

  • Propolis is effective in eliminating E. coli and reducing endotoxins during root canal treatment.
  • Intracanal medications, particularly those with Ca(OH)(2), play a crucial role in further reducing endotoxin load.
  • Combined use of propolis and appropriate intracanal medications may enhance endodontic treatment outcomes.

More Related Videos

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease06:06

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease

Published on: May 9, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism01:27

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism

Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...