Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of 3% naocl, 0.5 % metronidazole,12.5% curcuma longa and 25% mimusops elengi against enterococcus faecalis-an in vitro study

• Author Details:   
• Ramaprabha Balasubramaniam
• Vinothini K ^*
• Palaiyatharasi K
• Amala Aarthi.F

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Aims: The increase of potential side effects and safety concerns of conventional medicaments and irrigants have led to the recent popularity of herbal alternatives. The present in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of 3% NaOCl, Metronidazole, Curcuma longa and Mimusops elengi against Enterococcus faecalis.
Settings and Design: The experimental materials were prepared and allotted into four groups (Group 1-NaOCl, Group 2-Metronidazole, Group 3-Curcuma longa, Group 4-Mimusops elengi).
Methods and Materials: Agar well diffusion test was done to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various intracanal irrigants. Enterococcus faecalis was used as a test organism. The inoculums of Enterococcus faecalis was streaked on the agar plate. Using punch, wells each measuring 6mm in diameter and 4mm in depth were made and 50 micro liter of the experimental irrigant was pippeted into each well. The plates were placed in Carbon di oxide incubator at 37 degree Celsius for 48 hours and the zones of inhibition were measured.
Statistical analysis used: The results were statistically analysed using one way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD
Results: Highest inhibitory zone against E. faecalis was shown by 0.5% of metronidazole followed by 25% Mimusops elengi, 3% Sodium hypochlorite and the least is shown by 12.5 % Curcuma longa
Conclusions: Considering the undesirable side effects of sodium hypochlorite,metronidazole and herbal irrigants; mimusops elengi and Curcuma longa could be considered as an alternative

Keywords: Herbal root canal irrigants, Mimusops elengi, Curcuma longa, Metronidazole, Sodium hypochlorite, Toxicity, Root canal irrigants