Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most prevalent of the biofilm-dependent diseases. With numerous side effects on the use of chlorhexidine, the search for new safe therapeutic alternatives for microorganisms involved with these diseases increases every day. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of extracts made from the bark of Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. against five oral microorganisms and analyze their phytochemical and thermal degradation profile. The liquid-liquid partition was performed with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The identification and quantification of the chemical marker was done. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration. The cytotoxicity was analyzed based on the hemolysing potential of the samples. The thermal degradation profile was performed by two different methods. Gallic acid was identified as the main compound of the samples and showed the highest amount in the chloroform fraction. All samples were able to inhibit the growth of the microorganisms tested and showed no cytotoxicity. The ethanol extract absorbs less heat than the fractions. All samples exhibited exothermic peak consistent with degradation of gallic acid. Based on the results, the samples used are potential candidates for use in dental formulations for biofilm control.

Tacinga inamoena (K. Schum.) N.P. Taylor & Stuppy, also known as quipá, is a native cactus of the Caatinga used in traditional medicine to treat urethral infections and inflammation. This study aimed to determine the physicochemical characteristics of vegetal drug obtained from the roots of T. inamoena. Analytical techniques and phytochemical tests were used, such as thermal analysis, qualitative and semiquantitative determination of secondary metabolites and spectroscopy at the infrared region. The powder of the vegetal drug met the parameters established by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, except for compressibility, which was low. On the thermogravimetric curve, three events related to the mass loss were verified, which correlate with the vegetal drug quality control and play a part in their standardization. The qualitative screening suggested the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenes. The infrared spectrum reinforced the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and ether groups. In the semiquantitative screening, a concentration for total polyphenols of 65 mg equivalent to gallic acid g-1 to the crude ethanol extract (CEE) was obtained. On the correlation of flavonoid content to seasonality, a concentration was obtained of 3.3 mg equivalent to quercetin g-1 to the CEE obtained during the drought period and of 10.6 mg equivalent to quercetin g-1 to the CCE obtained during the rainy season. In T. inamoena, the presence of important classes of secondary metabolites, which are associated with the pharmacognostic characterization, aids the authentication and quality control of vegetal drugs of importance in traditional Brazilian medicine.

This in vitro study evaluated both the antimicrobial activity and the root canal cleaning ability of plant extracts used in irrigation solutions. The antimicrobial activities of the aroeira-da-praia (Schinus terebintifolius Raddi) and the quixabeira (Syderoxylum obtusifolium Roem & Schult) hydroalcoholic extracts, of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and of 0.12% chlorhexidine (positive control) against Enterococcus faecalis were tested with the agar well diffusion method. The level of root canal cleanliness was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twenty one single-rooted human teeth were divided into three groups according to the irrigation solution applied: 1) 50% aroeira-da-praia; 2) 50% quixabeira and 3) a combination of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite + 17% EDTA. All solutions tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. The SEM analysis revealed that higher and lower degrees of surface cleaning were observed, in the three groups, respectively for the coronal and apical thirds, in that quixabeira showed the greatest efficiency in removing the smear layer in the apical third. All the agents tested presented antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis. None, however, was able to completely remove the smear layer of the dentinal surface in the different thirds of the root canal. The results suggest that the analyzed plant extracts may represent a new therapeutic option in the list of alternative agents available for endodontic treatment.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) assegura o acesso aos medicamentos, mediante a garantia da execução integral da Assistência Farmacêutica. A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) desenvolveu os Indicadores do Uso de Medicamentos com o intuito de descrever e avaliar aspectos que afetam a prática farmacêutica nos centros de saúde. OBJETIVO: Conhecer a(s) classes terapêuticas mais prescritas, segundo os indicadores de prescrição médica nas Unidades de Saúde da Família (UBSF) do município de Campina Grande. MÉTODOS: O estudo baseou-se nos Indicadores de Prescrição de Medicamentos propostos pela OMS. Os medicamentos foram classificados segundo a Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) e os dados analisados utilizando-se os programas EpiInfo 2000 e Excel. RESULTADOS: Foi prescrita uma média de 1,5 medicamentos por receita médica. A porcentagem de antibióticos prescritos foi de 21,1%. Os medicamentos foram prescritos pelo nome genérico em 84,2% das prescrições e apenas 1,1% eram injetáveis. Faziam parte da lista de medicamentos padronizados 91,9% dos prescritos. O grupo farmacológico mais prescrito foi o de antibióticos (21,0%), seguido dos antiparasitários (18,4%), analgésicos e antipiréticos (15,4%), medicamentos para o aparelho digestivo (9,5%) e respiratório (9,2%). CONCLUSÕES: Percebe-se a importância de conhecer as principais demandas da comunidade, a fim de que os serviços possam planejar e realizar intervenções pertinentes às necessidades da população. Os indicadores apresentaram bons índices, demonstrando possível conseqüência da Política Nacional de Medicamentos e da realização da Conferência Municipal de Medicamentos e Assistência Farmacêutica.

INTRODUCTION: The "Sistema Único de Saúde" (Unified National Health System - SUS) ensures access to medication through the guarantee of integral pharmaceutical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed Indicators on the Utilization of Drugs with the intention of describing and evaluating aspects that affect pharmaceutical practices in health centers. OBJECTIVES: To learn which are the most commonly prescribed therapeutic groups, according to Prescription Indicators in the Family Health Program of the municipal district of Campina Grande. METHODS: The study was based on the Prescription Indicators proposed by the WHO. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) and data were analyzed using EpiInfo 2000 and Excel programs. RESULTS: An average of 1.5 drugs were prescribed per prescription. The percentage of antibiotics prescribed was 21.1%. Medication was prescribed by its generic name in 84.2% of prescriptions and only 1.1% was parenteral. 91.9% of the medications prescribed were part of the list of standard drugs. The most frequently prescribed pharmacologic group was antibiotics (21.0%), followed by anti-parasites (18.4%), analgesics and anti-thermals (15.4%), and drugs for the digestive (9.5%) and respiratory (9.2%) systems. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to know the community's main demands, so that policy-makers can plan and carry out appropriate activities to meet the needs of the population. Indicators presented good indexes, possibly as a consequence of the National Drug Policy and the accomplishment of the Municipal Conference on Medication and Pharmaceutical Care.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) assegura o acesso aos medicamentos, mediante a garantia da execução integral da Assistência Farmacêutica. A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) desenvolveu os Indicadores do Uso de Medicamentos com o intuito de descrever e avaliar aspectos que afetam a prática farmacêutica nos centros de saúde. OBJETIVO: Conhecer a(s) classes terapêuticas mais prescritas, segundo os indicadores de prescrição médica nas Unidades de Saúde da Família (UBSF) do município de Campina Grande. MÉTODOS: O estudo baseou-se nos Indicadores de Prescrição de Medicamentos propostos pela OMS. Os medicamentos foram classificados segundo a Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) e os dados analisados utilizando-se os programas EpiInfo 2000 e Excel. RESULTADOS: Foi prescrita uma média de 1,5 medicamentos por receita médica. A porcentagem de antibióticos prescritos foi de 21,1%. Os medicamentos foram prescritos pelo nome genérico em 84,2% das prescrições e apenas 1,1% eram injetáveis. Faziam parte da lista de medicamentos padronizados 91,9% dos prescritos. O grupo farmacológico mais prescrito foi o de antibióticos (21,0%), seguido dos antiparasitários (18,4%), analgésicos e antipiréticos (15,4%), medicamentos para o aparelho digestivo (9,5%) e respiratório (9,2%). CONCLUSÕES: Percebe-se a importância de conhecer as principais demandas da comunidade, a fim de que os serviços possam planejar e realizar intervenções pertinentes às necessidades da população. Os indicadores apresentaram bons índices, demonstrando possível conseqüência da Política Nacional de Medicamentos e da realização da Conferência Municipal de Medicamentos e Assistência Farmacêutica.

INTRODUCTION: The "Sistema Único de Saúde" (Unified National Health System - SUS) ensures access to medication through the guarantee of integral pharmaceutical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed Indicators on the Utilization of Drugs with the intention of describing and evaluating aspects that affect pharmaceutical practices in health centers. OBJECTIVES: To learn which are the most commonly prescribed therapeutic groups, according to Prescription Indicators in the Family Health Program of the municipal district of Campina Grande. METHODS: The study was based on the Prescription Indicators proposed by the WHO. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) and data were analyzed using EpiInfo 2000 and Excel programs. RESULTS: An average of 1.5 drugs were prescribed per prescription. The percentage of antibiotics prescribed was 21.1%. Medication was prescribed by its generic name in 84.2% of prescriptions and only 1.1% was parenteral. 91.9% of the medications prescribed were part of the list of standard drugs. The most frequently prescribed pharmacologic group was antibiotics (21.0%), followed by anti-parasites (18.4%), analgesics and anti-thermals (15.4%), and drugs for the digestive (9.5%) and respiratory (9.2%) systems. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to know the community's main demands, so that policy-makers can plan and carry out appropriate activities to meet the needs of the population. Indicators presented good indexes, possibly as a consequence of the National Drug Policy and the accomplishment of the Municipal Conference on Medication and Pharmaceutical Care.