Open AccessAntimicrobial effectiveness of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Babool (Acacia nilotica) on Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study
Author(s) -
R Pandya Sajankumar,
Vijaya Hegde,
Priya Shetty
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the indian association of public health dentistry/journal of indian association of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2350-0484
pISSN - 2319-5932
DOI - 10.4103/2319-5932.171159
Subject(s) - azadirachta , streptococcus mutans , antimicrobial , acacia , traditional medicine , in vitro , chemistry , biology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics
There is an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine because of their natural origin, easy availability, efficacy, and safety. Aim: To compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of Neem and Babool on Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: An in vitro study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of 5%, 10%, and 50% of Neem and Babool aqueous extract with 5%, 10%, and 50% of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash on S. mutans. The ditch plate method was used to test the antimicrobial activity. Ditches were prepared on blood agar plates with the help of punch having 7 mm diameter. The plates were left for 1 h at room temperature and then incubated at 37°C for 48 h and examined for zone of inhibition. Results: Inhibitory effect of 5% Neem is significantly better than 5% Babool and 5% chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.05). At 10% and 50%, Neem and Babool are significantly better than chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.05). Inhibitory effect of Babool increases as the concentration increases (P < 0.05). The inhibitory effect of 5% and 50% chlorhexidine mouthwash is better than 10% chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Neem exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity compared with Babool and chlorhexidine mouthwash