Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Commercially Available Herbal vs Chemical-based Dentifrices on Escherichia coli: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction: Toothbrushing aids in control over cariogenic microorganisms. Various chemical and herbal ingredients are added to dentifrices
for antimicrobial efficacy. But sparse knowledge regarding the ingredients used in herbal dentifrices and their efficacy compared to chemical
dentifrices is present. So, various herbal dentifrices are evaluated and compared for their antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli.
Materials and methods: Pure cultures of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) were subcultured on Müeller-Hinton broth at 37°C for 24 hours. The
nutrient agar plates were inoculated with 0.5 mL of 24-hour broth culture. Dilutions of the selected dentifrices were prepared and evaluated by
agar-well diffusion method. The agar plates were then incubated. The diameter of obtained zones of inhibition was measured. The antimicrobial
efficacy of the dentifrices was considered to be directly proportional with the size of obtained zone of inhibition.
Statistical analysis: The obtained results were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and
independent t test.
Results: Amongst the herbal combinations, maximum zone of inhibition was observed with the dentifrices containing akarkara, neem, babool,
tomar, pudina, lavang, pippli, vajradanti, bakul, vidang, haldi, pilu, majuphal, and meswak. Amongst chemical-based dentifrices, triclosan and
sodium fluoride containing dentifrice depicted maximum zone of inhibition against E. coli. On comparing antimicrobial efficacy of herbal vs
chemical dentifrices, it was observed that there was no significant difference between them (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Herbal dentifrices are more effective than chemical dentifrices and possess no side-effects. So, many lesions of oral cavity can be
treated by herbal dentifrices.
Keywords: Agar-well diffusion method, Antimicrobial efficacy, Chemical dentifrices, E. coli, Herbal dentifrices.
Journal of Dental Sciences and Oral Rehabilitation (2019): 10.5005/jp-journals-10086-1216