Antimicrobial efficacy of some medicinal plant extract against Streptococcus mutans causing dental caries

Abstract

Aim: To compare the antimicrobial efficacy of five Medicinal plant extracts against two strains of Streptococcus mutans causing dental caries using Agar well diffusion method. Materials and methods: Five plant extracts were prepared by soxhlet extraction method using organic solvent. These extracts were tested against Streptococcus mutans MTCC 497& MTCC 890 causing dental caries by Agar well diffusion method. Result: All the five plants extract are evaluated against both the strains of Streptococcus mutans. The highest zone of inhibition has been observed in the organic solvent based extract of Pongamia pinnata and Acacia catechu against the strain of S. mutans MTCC 890 is 15mm and 17mm which is same as the antibiotic (amoxicillin) inhibition zone and against MTCC 497 is 14mm and 16mm at concentration of 200µg/ml. Conclusion: This study concluded that the organic solvent based extract of Acacia catechu, Pongamia pinnata, Putranjiva roxburghii, Zanthoxylum armatum, and Zanthoxylum nitidum are effective against both the strains of Streptococcus mutans (MTCC 497& MTCC 890) and can be used as a potential source for making herbal medicines or tooth paste that can be used to cure dental caries.