Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most common
oral infections in humans. These diseases are primarily treated with
antimicrobial drugs; however, the rise in antimicrobial resistance necessitates
the investigation of plant-based phytocompounds as antimicrobial agents.
Plant-based antimicrobials represent a vast untapped source of medicine. They
have enormous therapeutic potential as they can serve the purpose without any
side effects that are often associated with synthetic antimicrobials. This study
investigated the phytochemicals present in three plants, Phyllanthus emblica,
Terminalia chebula and Eucalyptus globulus, as well as their antibacterial
effect on the cariogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 3160), Escherichia coli (MTCC 1655) and Streptococcus mutans (MTCC 890). Fruits
of Phylanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula and leaves of
Eucalyptus globulus were extracted in aqueous, ethanol and methanol solvents.
These extracts were tested for phytochemical compounds. Antibacterial activity
was evaluated using the agar disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) was measured via a 96-well turbidimetric method. One-way
ANOVA and Dunnett’s multiple comparison test were performed to assess the
statistical significance of antimicrobial activities of the plant extracts
against the cariogenic microbes. Results of a preliminary qualitative
phytochemical study of extracts revealed the presence of tannins and terpenoids
in all three plants. Tannins are known to possess anthelmintic activity,
whereas terpenoids also have applications in various treatments. Antibacterial
activity assay showed that the plant extracts were more active against
gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria. Among the tested organisms,
S aureus was the most susceptible. The bacterial strains tested were more
susceptible to methanol extracts, followed by ethanol, and the least effective
was aqueous extract. These findings indicate that Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia
chebula and Eucalyptus globulus extracts have potential antibacterial
activity against oral pathogens such as S. aureus, S. mutans and E. coli and
could potentially be used treatment of dental caries. The effects of this
extract may be beneficial if it is incorporated in gum, toothpaste, mouthwash
and dental products to reduce plaque and dental caries. The results provide a
foundation for further research into the therapeutic potential of these
medicinal plants.
Author(s) Details
Asimuddin M
Head of Dental Department, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital & Research Centre,
Hyderabad, India.
Bhumika Ranawat
Head of Dental Department, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital & Research Centre,
Hyderabad, India.’
Kaiser Jamil
Head of Dental Department, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital & Research Centre,
Hyderabad, India.
Chandrakanth Rao
Head of Dental Department, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital & Research Centre,
Hyderabad, India.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/psnid/v6/5715
