Antifungal and antibacterial activities of polyherbal toothpaste against oral pathogens, In vitro

Abstract

Original article

Article History:

Received: 23 April 2018 Revised: 20 July 2018 Accepted: 06 August 2018

* Corresponding author:
Batool Sadeghi-Nejad
Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.
Email: batsad4@yahoo.com

Introduction

One of the most common chronic oral infections in the world is dental caries [1]. Oral pathogenic microorganisms have been the cause of dental plaques, dental caries, as well as gingival and periodontal diseases [2]. Streptococcus mutans is one of the main opportunistic pathogens of dental caries, which is responsible for the formation of dental plaque and caries [3]. Other microorganisms associated with this oral condition include Escherichia coli, S. aureus [4], and Candida species.

C. albicans is the most frequent yeast isolated from the oral cavities with poor oral hygiene [2]. The formulation ingredients of commercial toothpastes are mostly chemical substances, such as fluoride and whitening agents [2]. The literature contains evidence regarding the adverse effects of fluoride and bleaching agents (e.g., peroxide-based agents) used in the commercial toothpastes [5].

With this background in mind, the present study aimed to formulate a polyherbal toothpaste without any

A B S T RA C T
Background and Purpose: Herbal toothpastes are more secure and efficacious and less

poisonous due to containing natural chemicals as compared with the synthetic toothpastes. The present study aimed to formulate a polyherbal toothpaste using accessible medicinal plants in Iran and evaluate its efficiency in the protection of oral hygiene and prevention of dental caries.

Materials and Methods: The developed toothpaste was made of the leaf extracts of Artemisia dracunculus, Satureja khuzestanica (Jamzad), and Myrtus communis (Linn), combined at four different dilutions, namely 1:4 (25%), 1:1 (50%), 3:4 (75%), and (100%), with sterile distilled water. The product was tested against five microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans, Lactobaccilus caseie, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, and Candida albicans, using agar well diffusion method.

Results: After 24 h of incubation, the maximum mean diameters of inhibition zone against L. caseie and C. albicans were obtained as 17-30 and 10-25 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the minimum mean diameter of inhibition zone against S. salivarious was estimated as 15-20 mm.

Conclusion: The formulated toothpaste showed potent inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria and C. albicans. Therefore, more studies are required to accurately investigate the efficacy of the formulated toothpaste.

Keywords: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Oral pathogens, Polyherbal toothpaste, Yeast