IN VITRO STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF HERBAL MOUTHWASH/MOUTHRINSE AGAINST SELECTED ORAL PATHOGENS

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the Fauces clean to prevent oral problems, most commonly, dental cavities, gingivitis, and halitosis. All cavities occur from acid demineralisation of teeth, where chewing, food trapped on teeth. The dead and dying bacteria release a sulphur compound which has an unpleasant odour giving out bad breath. To evaluate in vitro, efficacy of a herbal mouthwash formulation against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, the normal microflora which turns to opportunistic pathogens, causing dental problems. Twelve herbs viz., Azadirachta indica (leaf), Cinnamomum verum (bark), Citrus lemon (fruit rind), Emblica officinalis (fruit), Ocimum sanctum (leaf), Piper longum (fruit), Piper nigrum (fruit), Punica granatum (fruit rind), Syzyium aromaticum (Bud), Terminalia chebula (fruit), Terminalia bellirica (fruit), Zingiber officinale (Rhizome) were extracted in ethanol by soxhlet extraction. The individual herbal extract, polyherbal extract and the same incorporated in Mouthwash formulation were tested for its antimicrobial efficacy against S. mutans MTCC 890 and C. albicans MTCC 3017 culture by Zone of inhibition test. Mean and standard deviation were used for statistical analysis. The herbal extract (100 microlitre (µl)) was showing 20 ± 0.5 milli meter (mm) diameter against S. mutans. The Mouthwash formulation showed Zone of inhibition of 10±2 mm against S. mutans. Base formulation without herbal extract was also not showing zone of inhibition. There is no antifungal activity against C. albicans. Study reveals that the extract in the formulation was effective against the S. mutans, a causative agent for dental caries.