Influence of Medicinal Plant Extracts on the Growth of Oral Pathogens Streptococcus Mutans and Lactobacillus Acidophilus: An In-Vitro Study

Hanaa  Elgamily; Rehab Safy; Rabab Makharita

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.653

Authors

Hanaa Elgamily Restorative and Dental Materials Department, Oral and Dental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt;
Rehab Safy Operative Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
Rabab Makharita Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jeddah University, Khulais, Female-branch, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.653

Keywords:

Dental caries, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Medicinal plants

Abstract

AIM: This study investigated the antibacterial efficacy of five plant extracts, as well as the combinations of the two most effective plant, extracts either with or without commercial varnish (MI varnish) on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in comparison to MI varnish using agar disk diffusion and broth dilution methods.

METHODS: Methanolic extractions of five plants (Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger, Clove and Black seed,) were tested against the growth of the two oral pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined for the two most effective extracts, and their combinations with different ratios were evaluated against the growth of the two oral pathogens, followed by incorporating the two effective plants or each into commercial MI varnish to be assessed against the oral pathogens in comparison to MI varnish.

RESULTS: Only Cinnamon and Clove produced inhibition zones against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus growth. MIC for the two plants showed equal antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, while Cinnamon had a higher sensitivity to Lactobacillus acidophilus than Clove. A mixture of Cinnamon and Clove in a ratio 1:2 exhibited the highest antibacterial activity. Integration the mixture of both plants into MI varnish in a ratio of 1:1:1 presented the highest antibacterial activity. Meanwhile, the lowest one was recorded for the MI varnish alone.

CONCLUSION: Methanolic extract of Cinnamon and Clove has considerable antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus and a new tool for minimally invasive and adhesive dentistry avenues.