Antimicrobial and biofilm anti-adhesion activities of silver nanoparticles and farnesol against endodontic microorganisms for possible application in root canal treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nThis study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and biofilm anti-adhesion activities of poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-PVA) and farnesol against Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.\n\n\nDESIGN\nMinimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) of the solutions, as well as the effect on the biofilm biomass were evaluated. The biofilm anti-adhesion activity was evaluated using bovine root dentine treated with the solutions after 3\u202fmin of contact and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU\u202fmL-1) counting. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey s, the paired Student s t-test or Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn s tests (α\u202f=\u202f0.05).\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe MIC and MMC values (MIC/MMC) of the AgNPs-PVA and farnesol against E. faecalis were 42.5/50\u202fμM and 0.85/1.0%, respectively. For C. albicans, the values were 27.5/37.5\u202fμM and 1.75/2.5%; and for P. aeruginosa, 32.5/32.5\u202fμM and 2.5/2.75%, respectively. Both solutions showed reduced biofilm biomass (p\u202f<\u202f0.05). SEM analysis showed that dentine blocks treated with both solutions had lower biofilm formation than the control (saline), except for C. albicans. In the CFU\u202fmL-1 counting, biofilm cells were viable in the all groups in comparison with control (p\u202f>\u202f0.05).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nAgNPs-PVA and farnesol showed antimicrobial and biofilm anti-adhesion activities, as well as potential for use as coadjuvant in endodontic treatment, and may be an option as auxiliary procedure for root canal disinfection or to inhibit biofilm formation.