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Commercialized mouthwashes are generally expensive for the most financially vulnerable populations. Thus, several studies evaluate the antimicrobial potential of herbal products, such as essential oils, to reduce the activity of microorganisms in the mouth. The objective of this research was to carry out the chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Piper mosenii (EOPm), providing data that enable the development of a low-cost mouthwash formulation aimed at vulnerable communities. The analysis of the antibacterial potential and modulator of bacterial resistance was verified by the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration-MIC. The chemical components were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, where 23 chemical constituents were detected, with α-pinene, being the major compound. The EOPm showed a MIC ≥ 1024 µg/mL for all bacterial strains used in the tests. When the EOPm modulating activity was evaluated together with chlorhexidine, mouthwash and antibiotics against bacterial resistance, the oil showed a significant synergistic effect, reducing the MIC of the products tested in combination, in percentages between 20.6% to 96.3%. Therefore, it is recommended to expand the tests with greater variation of EOPm concentration and the products used in this research, in addition to the evaluation of toxicity and in vivo tests, seeking the development of a possible formulation of mouthwash accessible to the vulnerable population.

Studies show that more consumers are using natural health products in the modern world. We have noticed a growing demand in markets and the professional community for mouthwashes that contain natural compounds. The objective of this study was to assess the chemical characterization and microbiological potential of the essential oil Piper arboreum (EOPa) to provide data to enable the development of a low-cost mouthwash. The evaluation of the antibacterial and bacterial resistance modulating activity was performed by the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The chemical components were characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, which identified 20 chemical constituents, with caryophyllene oxide being one of the major compounds. The EOPa showed an MIC ≥ 1024 µg/mL for all bacterial strains used in the tests. When evaluating the modulating activity of EOPa combined with chlorhexidine, mouthwash and antibiotics against the bacterial resistance, the oil limited synergistic activity between the MIC of the products tested in combination (37% to 87.5%). Therefore, we recommend expanding the tests with greater variation in the EOPa concentration and the products used, as well as toxicity assessments and in vivo testing, with the purpose of the development of a possible low-cost mouthwash base that is accessible to the most vulnerable populations.