Efecto antibacteriano de dos extractos de Erythroxylum coca frente a Streptococcus mutans y Lactobacillus acidophilus

Introduction: The Erythroxylum coca leaf is traditionally used in various countries for its pharmacological benefits. Objective: To compare the antibacterial effect of the aqueous and alcoholic extract of Erythroxylum coca leaves against Streptococcus mutans ATCC®35668^™ and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC®4356^™. Methods: Experimental in vitro study. The aqueous and alcoholic extract of E. coca was obtained. The sample consisted of 20 petri dishes for each concentration and extract evaluated. The mean diameters of the inhibition halos were expressed in millimeters and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's post hoc analysis with Bonferroni adjustment. The comparison of the effects between 24 and 48 hours was carried out using the Wilcoxon test with a significance level of 5 %. Results: The alcoholic concentration of 25 mg/mL was more effective on S. mutans, when compared to the other groups (p< 0.05). In the alcoholic extract, differences were observed with the concentration of 50 mg/mL at 24 and 48 hours against S. mutans (p< 0.05). Significant differences were observed when comparing the inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract of 75 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL at 24 and 48 hours against L. acidophilus (p< 0.05) and for the alcoholic extract the differences were statistically significant with concentrations of 50 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL (p< 0.05). Conclusion: There are differences in the antibacterial effect of the aqueous and alcoholic extract of E. coca leaves against S. mutans and L. acidophilus.