Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Action of Propolis and Substances Used in Endodontics against Enterococcus faecalis

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of propolis and other substances used for pulp capping in primary teeth against Enterococcus faecalis strains. Method: The agar diffusion method was used with well technique to analyze 11 substances: 1) Green propolis extract; 2) Guedes-Pinto paste (iodoform + camphorated paramonochlorophenol (PMCC) + Rifocort®); 3) Green propolis extract + Rifocort® + Iodoform; 4) Rifocort® + Green propolis extract; 5) Calcium hydroxide + Green propolis extract; 6) Calcium hydroxide + Saline; 7) Iodoform + Green propolis extract; 8) Iodoform + Saline; 9) Rifocort®; 10) PMCC and 11) Saline (negative control). Results: Rifocort®, Rifocort® + green propolis extract, Guedes-Pinto paste, green propolis/Rifocort®/iodoform paste, and PMCC presented a significantly greater antimicrobial action against E. faecalis compared to the other tested substances. The calcium hydroxide/green propolis paste, green propolis extract solution, iodoform/green propolis extract paste presented lower antimicrobial action, without statistically significant difference among these formulations. Saline, calcium hydroxide/saline paste and iodoform/saline paste presented no antimicrobial action. Conclusion: The green propolis extract solution presented low antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis. Among the tested substances, Rifocort® presented the greatest antimicrobial action.