Roman V. Kutsyk

Aim: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of commonly used endodontic irrigation solutions against bacterial and fungal isolates recovered from infected root canals in patients with apical periodontitis, in order to determine their relative effectiveness against clinically relevant endodontic microorganisms. Materials and Methods: The strains of opportunistic microorganisms representing the optionally anaerobic transient microflora of the oral cavity were used in the study. 11 chemical solutions used to eliminate microorganisms in the root canal, were applied in the microbiological study. Microbial cultures were isolated from the infected root canal and identified on the basis of morphological, cultural properties and such biochemical microtests as “STAPHYtest 16”, “STREPTOtest 16” (Lachema, Czech Republic) and test systems VITEK 2 GP and VITEK 2 YST (biomerieux, France) using VITEK 2 Compact analyzer. Results: Comparing the effect of irrigation solutions on S.aureus MSSA bacteria, such irrigant as Chlorhexedin 2% (Endohex) provided the most positive result Hypochlorite 5.25% (Cerkamed) provided a positive effect on C.ablicans as well constituting 88.82±1.65 in comparison with Chlorhexedine 2% (29.22±0). Citric acid 40% (Cerkamed) was the best to eliminated S.gordonii (27.28±0.35). However, Maleic acid 6% showed the least effect on it (6.55±0.45). Hypochlorite 5.25% (Cerkamed), Hypochlorite 6% Chloran showed the best influence on the Candida group, while Citric acid 40% showed the lowest influence. Conclusions: The conducted microbiological studies showed a diverse effect of irrigation solutions on groups of different microorganisms causing periodontitis. The obtained results provide an opportunity to select differentially irrigation solutions for the elimination of microorganisms detected in the root canals. A positive result of the elimination of irrigation solutions on microorganisms causing periodontitis is observed.

Mint (Mentha spp.) teas are widely consumed as functional herbal beverages and represent important dietary sources of bioactive volatile compounds. The present study comparatively evaluated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from commercially available Mentha tea products purchased in Estonia, Lithuania, and Norway. In 10 EO samples studied, 85 compounds were identified by GC–MS. Carvone was the dominant constituent in the carvone chemotype (up to 58.1%), whereas menthol reached 30.7% in the menthol chemotype. Hierarchical clustering of CLR-transformed GC–MS data revealed three well-defined chemotypes among the analyzed Mentha EOs: carvone chemotype (three samples), menthol chemotype (five samples) and mixed, carvone-menthol chemotype (two samples). The antimicrobial activity of EOs was evaluated against 17 clinical antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms by the agar well diffusion method. The strongest antimicrobial activity was observed against resistant clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains, with MIC values as low as 0.10 mg/mL. EOs with a high carvone content consistently showed higher activity, especially against S. aureus, including resistant phenotypes. In contrast, menthol-chemotype EOs were associated with reduced antibacterial effectiveness. The obtained results demonstrate that the investigated commercial mint teas differ considerably in their phytochemical composition and biological properties, which may contribute to differences in their potential nutraceutical relevance as functional plant-derived beverages.

To reduce microbial adhesion and improve the antimicrobial properties of dental materials, surface-modification strategies have been proposed, including mechanical polishing, bioactive chemical coatings, nanocomposite surface treatment, and advanced CAD/CAM technologies. The aim of this study was to compare the adhesion of a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi of the oral microflora to acrylic and elastic denture base plastics coated with Optiglaze, as a measure to prevent biofilm formation. Materials and Methods. The study used specimens 2 mm thick and 1 cm² in area, fabricated from the acrylic denture base resin Villacryl (40 specimens) and the elastic resin Acron (40 specimens), as well as a control material—glass (40 specimens). After sandblasting, a thin layer of Optiglaze (GC Corp., Japan) was applied to all surfaces of each specimen in three groups (40 specimens per group), polymerized with an LED curing light, and sterilized by X-ray irradiation. The study employed strains of opportunistic microorganisms representing facultative anaerobic transient microflora of the oral cavity. Microbial adhesive capacity was assessed in an in vitro experiment using a modified Lassila L. method, which involves ultrasonic elution of cells attached to the surface followed by counting colony-forming units (CFU). Results. Optiglaze significantly reduced microbial adhesion on Villacryl and glass. Exceptions included S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa, for which no reduction was observed, and C. lipolytica, for which the reduction was partial. Two-way ANOVA for each strain demonstrated significant main effects of both material type and Optiglaze coating for most microorganisms. A significant material × coating interaction was observed for S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA), S. gordonii, E. coli, A. baumannii, C. albicans, and C. lipolytica, indicating that the effect of Optiglaze depends on the base material. Overall, Optiglaze significantly decreased adhesion on all tested materials, with the strongest effect observed on Villacryl (Holm p = 3.99 × 10⁻¹⁰; BH p = 3.99 × 10⁻¹⁰), and a moderate effect on Acron (Holm p = 2.41 × 10⁻⁶; BH p = 1.81 × 10⁻⁶) and glass (Holm/BH p = 1.63 × 10⁻⁵). Conclusion. The type of denture base material and the presence of the Optiglaze coating significantly affect the adhesion of oral microbial strains to the surface of experimental specimens. The Optiglaze protective coating reduces microbial adhesion on all three materials: most pronounced on glass (almost all strains showed significant differences), and moderate on Villacryl and Acron.

Background: Rhinosinusitis and tonsillitis are associated with the formation of bacterial biofilms, which complicates treatment and contributes to frequent relapses. Microbial adhesion to host cells is a key initial step in colonization and biofilm development. Phytoneering extracts BNO1016 and BNO1030 are widely used in respiratory phytotherapy, yet their effects on quantitative adhesion parameters have not been fully characterized. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of the phytoneering extracts BNO1016 and BNO1030 on the adhesion of clinically relevant bacterial and fungal pathogens. Methods: Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Streptococcus pneumoniae (two strains), Streptococcus pyogenes , Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis , and Candida albicans were examined using a human erythrocyte adhesion model. Extracts BNO1016 and BNO1030 were applied at a 1:5 dilution to simulate expected in vivo dilution by mucosal secretions. Average adhesion index (AAI), adhesion coefficient (AC), and microbial adhesion index (MAI) were used as quantitative indicators of microbial adhesion. Results: BNO1016 significantly reduced AAI and MAI in S. aureus , S. pyogenes , S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis , S. epidermidis , and C. albicans , while AC decreased significantly only in S. aureus and S. pyogenes . No inhibitory effect was observed for either strain of S. pneumoniae . BNO1030 significantly decreased AAI and MAI in S. epidermidis , S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis , S. pneumoniae (M), and C. albicans , whereas AC remained unchanged across all strains. Conclusions: Both phytoneering extracts demonstrated strain‑specific anti‑adhesive activity, reflected by reductions in AAI, AC, and MAI. MAI proved to be the most informative indicator, reflecting reductions in both the number of adherent cells and the total microbial biomass with biofilm‑forming potential. These findings indicate that BNO1016 and BNO1030 may limit early microbial attachment and reduce the initial biomass available for biofilm formation, supporting their potential role in phytotherapeutic management of upper respiratory tract infections.

Introduction. The increasing resistance of Candida species to conventional antifungal agents necessitates the development of alternative therapies, especially in dentistry. This study aims to assess the antifungal activity of hydroethanolic extracts from aromatic plants against Candida albicans and non-albicans species isolated from oral mucosal swabs of patients with oral candidiasis. Methods. Thirteen plant extracts—laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), dwarf rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), cinnamon bark (Ceylon Cinnamon) (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), wild marjoram (Oregano) (Origanum vulgare L.), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), and chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.)—were prepared using 90% ethanol and tested against five clinical Candida strains (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. lusitaniae, C. kefyr, C. lipolytica) using the agar diffusion method. Fluconazole, chlorhexidine, decamethoxine, Stomatophyte, and Recutan served as control agents. Results. Fluconazole showed the highest activity against all Candida spp. Among plant extracts, nutmeg and coriander were comparable to fluconazole in their activity against C. tropicalis. Creeping thyme and chili pepper exhibited broad-spectrum moderate activity against multiple strains, occasionally matching or surpassing the efficacy of decamethoxine and chlorhexidine. No plant extract demonstrated sufficient activity against C. lusitaniae. Conclusions. A preliminary in vitro assessment of plant extracts, particularly nutmeg, coriander, creeping thyme, and chili pepper, showed promising antifungal activity against this limited panel of clinical isolates.

Introduction. Ruta graveolens L. (R. graveolens) is a rich source of biologically active compounds with antimicrobial and antibiotic-potentiating properties; however, its impact on the duration of the postantibiotic effect (PAE) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the PAE duration of erythromycin in staphylococcal strains with different MLS (macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B) resistance phenotypes and to assess the impact of 70% and 90% ethanolic R. graveolens extracts on this parameter. Methods. Three control strains of staphylococcal skin isolates with different MLS resistance phenotypes, inducible (D), constitutive (Neg), and resistant (R), were used in this study. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of erythromycin and ethanolic R. graveolens extracts (70% and 90%) were determined using the broth microdilution method. Bacterial growth was monitored spectrophotometrically in microplates, and the lag phase, log phase, and PAE values were assessed. Results. The duration of the erythromycin PAE differed among staphylococcal strains exhibiting different MLS resistance phenotypes. The most extended PAE duration was observed in the tested strain with an inducible phenotype (7.3 ± 0.75 hours). An intermediate mean PAE duration (3.76 ± 0.4 hours) was observed for the strain with complete resistance to the MLS group of antibiotics. The erythromycin PAE was not detected in the strain with the Neg phenotype. Seventy percent R. graveolens extract modified the lag phase and prolonged the erythromycin PAE duration in a phenotype-dependent manner. In contrast, 90% R. graveolens extract did not show a potentiating effect compared to 70% R. graveolens extract. Conclusions. Combinations of erythromycin with subinhibitory concentrations of 70% R. graveolens extract modified the lag phase and prolonged erythromycin PAE in a resistance phenotype-dependent manner. The most pronounced effect of 70% R. graveolens extract was observed in strains with the D and R MLS resistance phenotypes. Moreover, 90% R. graveolens extract did not potentiate erythromycin activity against MLS-resistant staphylococci.

In folk medicine, species of the genus Melampyrum (Orobanchaceae) have traditionally been used to treat dermatological conditions, neuralgia, rheumatism, and wounds. M. nemorosum L. possesses a diverse chemical profile that supports its therapeutic potential. This study aimed to investigate its principal biologically active compounds and to evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, and wound-healing activities of aqueous-ethanolic extracts (40% ethanol (MN40) and 70% ethanol (MN70)) of M. nemorosum herb. Nineteen phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, including phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and tannin metabolites. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the formalin-induced paw oedema model. Haemostatic effects were demonstrated by reductions in bleeding time by 38.5% (MN40) and 45.5% (MN70). Both extracts significantly accelerated wound healing, with MN70 showing the most pronounced effect: achieving 97.8% wound closure by day 11 and complete healing by day 13. Additionally, both extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity, with MN70 being the most effective across all tested parameters. These findings reported here for the first time for this plant support the potential of M. nemorosum herb extracts for further preclinical and clinical development as a multifunctional phytotherapeutic agent.

Aim: To compare the adhesive ability of resident and transient representatives of the oral cavity microflora to various base materials used for the manufacture of removable dentures.Material and methods: The presented report is an experimental study in vitro. 3 types of base materials, namely Vertex, Breflex and Villacryl were used in order to evaluate the adhesive ability of microorganisms. Strains of opportunistic pathogens representing the facultative anaerobic transient microflora of the oral cavity were used for the research. After the cultures cultivation, the number of isolated colonies grown from the microbial cells that adhered to the material sample was counted.Results: Staphylococci adhered to all tested samples of base materials very weakly. Adhesion of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus ( to Villacryl was at the level of the control material, i.e. glass (adhesion indices constituted 0.58 and 0.64). It was significantly weaker in relation to Breflex (adhesion index was 0.47) and, especially, to Vertex (adhesion index was 0.39). All materials demonstrated adhesion indices lower than glass for α-hemolytic streptococci and staphylococci. Adhesion indices of Breflex and Villacryl resin for β-hemolytic streptococci differed little from the corresponding values ​​of glass.Conclusions: All tested samples of base materials showed significant biological inertness: the adhesion indices of the vast majority of the tested microorganisms were lower than those of the control material. Oral streptococci showed the weakest adhesive ability to Villacryl (average values of adhesion indices 0.51 and 0.68 appropriately). Staphylococci and Candida yeast-like fungi showed a weak adhesive ability to the samples of base materials, especially to Vertex.

In folk medicine, species of the genus Melampyrum (Orobanchaceae) are traditionally used for treating dermatological conditions, neuralgia, rheumatism, and wounds. M. nemorosum L. possesses a diverse chemical profile that supports its therapeutic potential. This study aimed to investigate the principal biologically active compounds and evaluate the acute toxicity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, and wound-healing activities of aqueous-ethanolic extracts (40% ethanol (MN40) and 70% ethanol (MN70)) of M. nemorosum herb. Nineteen phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, including phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and tannin metabolites. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the formalin-induced paw oedema model. Haemostatic effects were demonstrated by a reduction in bleeding time by 38.5% (MN40) and 45.5% (MN70). Both extracts significantly accelerated wound healing, with MN70 showing the most pronounced effect: achieving 97.8% closure by day 11 and complete healing by day 13. Additionally, both extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity. The extract MN70 was the most effective across all tested parameters. These findings reported here for the first time for this plant and support the potential of M. nemorosum herb extracts for further preclinical and clinical development as a multifunctional phytotherapeutic agent.

Aim: To study the main differences in the intensity of growth of microbial strains of oral origin when they are cultivated in the presence of base resins that are widely used in the clinic of prosthetic dentistry.Material and methods: 3 types of base resin samples were used to evaluate the impact on the growth of microorganisms. Strains of opportunistic pathogens representing the facultative anaerobic transient microflora of the oral cavity were used for the research. Microbial cultures were isolated from the oral mucosa of the patients with removable dentures. The optical density of the culture was determined using a multi-mode photometer. Control growth of the cultures was evaluated under similar cultivation conditions in test tubes with a nutrient medium without resin samples.Results: All resins reduced the intensity of polyantibiotic-resistant S. aureus MRSA growth compared to control samples. The impact on S. epedermidis growth was different. Thus, Vertex and Вreflex reduced the growth intensity insignificantly, and Villacryl increased it to the level of 1.104 ±0.026 CU in comparison with glass constituting 1.178 ±0.033 CU. All studied resins inhibited the growth of polyantibiotic-resistant S. aureus MRSA. Villacryl resin had the least impact on the growth of S. epedermidis. Villacryl resin inhibited C. albicans growth only by 13.70%, and the other two resins inhibited it by 25% on average.Conclusions: The conducted microbiological studies showed the diverse influence of base materials on such important indicators as the optical density of cultures grown in the presence of base resins and the growth inhibition index of cultures.