Abstract

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS AND ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA WITH CHLORHEXIDINE AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS AND ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS - AN INVITRO STUDY

Bhat Chetan, *Bethapudy Dinah Rachel, Patil Smita S., Chowdhary Shweta, Kunte Sanket and Lakade Laxmi

Abstract

Backgroud: Dental caries is known to be one of the most widespread, chronic infections affecting all ages and populations worldwide. The plethora of oral microbial population (specially Streptococcus Mutans and Enterococcus Faecalis) paves way for various endogenous infections and plays a crucial role in polymicrobial interactions contributing to biofilm-mediated diseases like caries and periodontal diseases. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the antimicrobial potential of Terminalia Chebula against oral microorganisms namely S. Mutans and E. Faecalis and to determine the zones of inhibition at 10% concentration. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial efficacy of the aqueous and alcoholic extract concentrations of Terminalia Chebula were tested against S. Mutans and E.Faecalis strains with Chlorhexidine control using agar well diffusion method. Results: The results showed that it was active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria with (p<0.001). The Zones of Inhibition for S. Mutans with Aqueous Extract were 35.2±2mm, for Alcoholic Extract 39.2±2mm and for Chlorhexidine 25.4±2mm. For E. Faecalis were with Aqueous extract 21±2mm, for Alcoholic extract 29.1±2mm, for Chlorhexidine 29.4±2mm. Conclusion: These promising findings suggest the presence of antibacterial activity in Terminalia Chebula which can be involved in the caries preventive and the treatment regime for the pediatric population. Hence, this study paves the way to a safe and economical method of preventing dental caries without side effects especially in developing countries like India where more has 50 percent of the children’s parents cannot afford the dental treatment.

Keywords: Terminalia Chebula, Dental caries, Antibacterial activity, Zone of inhibition.