Transdisciplinarity of vulvovaginal candidiasis from a social-environmental education perspective

Vulvovaginal candidiasis stems from the imbalance between the fungus, woman, and environment. This study aimed to describe the genital infection in an ecological vision to identify the risk factors and socio-environmental prophylactic education measures. This descriptive study employed the qualitative and bibliographical methods used in selected scientific articles. The descriptors used were biomedical model, ecological triad, natural history of the disease, systemic model, vaginal ecosystem, and women's disorders. The holistic approach broadens the knowledge of pathogenesis, characterizes risk factors, and identifies the links in the chain of events where prophylactic measures may be applied

Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of <i>Punica granatum</i>, alone and in Combination with Calcium Hydroxide, Is Effective against Mono- and Polymicrobial Biofilms of <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i>

Failures in endodontic treatments are mostly associated with the difficulty in eradicating microbes of the root canal system, highlighting the need to develop novel effective antimicrobials. Punica granatum (pomegranate) leaf hydroalcoholic extract may be a potential alternative in canal dressing, owing to its antimicrobial properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Punica granatum (HEPg) alone or in combination with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in isolation and in mono- and polymicrobial biofilms. Microdilution tests in broth and assays for inhibition of biofilm formation were carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of HEPg and HEPg + Ca(OH)2 against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The cytotoxicity of HEPg in HaCaT cells was evaluated by MTT assay. HEPg and HEPg + Ca(OH)2 exerted significant antimicrobial activity against planktonic cells and mono- and polymicrobial biofilms. The combination of Punica granatum extract with Ca(OH)2 appears to be a promising alternative in endodontic treatments, which could be tested in vivo to confirm the efficacy of this mixture in disinfecting root canal systems