RESUMO:O estudo avalia a utilização de plantas medicinais com atividade antimicrobiana pelos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde do município de Campina Grande-PB, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, cuja amostra constituiu-se de 220 usuários conduzido no período de Agosto de 2008 a Janeiro de 2009. A pesquisa foi realizada através de um roteiro de entrevistas não estruturada. Dentre os participantes do estudo, 65,0% utilizavam plantas medicinais, das quais Punica granatum L., Anacardium occidentale L., e Stryphnodendron adstringens foram as mais citadas. Observou-se que houve prevalência do gênero feminino na utilização. A maioria dos indivíduos obtém plantas medicinais no comércio local utilizando-as por indicação de familiares. Foi observado que 5,0% dos entrevistados afirmam já ter sofrido algum evento adverso decorrente do uso de plantas medicinais. Assim sugere-se que as informações sobre o uso da flora medicinal adquiridas nas comunidades locais, combinadas a estudos químicos/ farmacológicos realizados em laboratórios especializados e a capacitação da equipe de saúde favorecerá a implementação da Portaria nº 971/2006, que tem como objetivo a garantia de acesso a plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos com segurança, eficácia e qualidade. Palavras-chave:Plantas Medicinais, Etnofarmacologia, Saúde Pública. ABSTRACT: Use of medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity by users of the PublicHealth System in Campina Grande -Paraíba, Brazil. This study evaluates the use of medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity by users of the Unified Health System in Campina Grande Municipality, Paraíba, Brazil. This is a descriptive and transversal study with a quantitative approach, the sample of which consisted of 220 users, and was carried out from August 2008 to April 2009. The research was developed through an unstructured interview process. Among the study participants, 65.0% used medicinal plants, of which Punica granatum L., Anacardium occidentale L. and Stryphnodendron adstringens were most cited. There was prevalence of females. Most individuals obtain medicinal plants in the local market, using them as suggested by relatives. Results indicated that 5.0% of the interviewees stated to have suffered adverse event resulting from the use of medicinal plants. Thus, information about the use of medicinal plants, acquired in local communities, combined to chemical/pharmacological studies performed in specialized laboratories and the qualification of health professionals, will favor the implementation of Decree no. 971/2006, which aims to ensure access to medicinal plants and herbal medicines with safety, efficacy and quality.

Aim:The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and chemical fractions of Sideroxylon obtusifolium T.D. Penn on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus parasanguinis, and Candida albicans as well as to identify the chemical classes found in the bioactive extracts possessing better activity. Materials and methods:Freeze-dried hydroalcoholic extracts of the bark and leaves (LC and LF respectively) and ethanol extracts of bark and leaves (EC and EF respectively) of S. obtusifolium were assessed for antimicrobial potential by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The tests were performed by microdilution method (in triplicate) in three independent experiments. Phytochemical characterization was performed by quantification of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins. Results:The EC extract presented weak antimicrobial potential on the growth of S. mutans (MIC = 1000 µg/mL); all extracts showed moderate inhibitory activity on the growth of C. albicans (MIC = 500 µg/mL). The dichloromethane and n-butanol fractions of LF extracts showed moderate growth inhibitory activity (MIC = 250 µg/mL) on C. albicans and fungicide potential (MFC/MIC = 2). The phytochemical characterization revealed a Conclusion:The dichloromethane and n-butanol fractions of S. obtusifolium LF extract showed antifungal activity against C. albicans, with the potential for bioprospection of phytocompounds for the treatment of periodontal fungal diseases caused by this microorganism. The effect may be related to phytochemical compounds from the polyphenol and condensed tannin classes.Clinical significance: Research for new oral microbial disease treatment alternatives in bioactive compounds from medicinal plants is of clinical relevance and scientific interest since many therapeutic antifungal agents do not obtain the effectiveness expected due to microbial resistance, or to adverse effects on human tissues.