Antimicrobial effectiveness of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Babool (Acacia nilotica) on Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study

• Main Authors: R Pandya Sajankumar, Vijaya Hegde, Pooja J Shetty
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
• Subjects: Antimicrobial; Babool (Acacia nilotica); Neem (Azadirachta indica); Streptococcus mutans
• Online Access: http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2015;volume=13;issue=4;spage=517;epage=520;aulast=Sajankumar
• ISSN: 2319-5932; 2350-0484

Introduction: There is an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine because of their natural origin, easy availability, efficacy, and safety. Aim: To compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of Neem and Babool on Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: An in vitro study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of 5%, 10%, and 50% of Neem and Babool aqueous extract with 5%, 10%, and 50% of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash on S. mutans. The ditch plate method was used to test the antimicrobial activity. Ditches were prepared on blood agar plates with the help of punch having 7 mm diameter. The plates were left for 1 h at room temperature and then incubated at 37°C for 48 h and examined for zone of inhibition. Results: Inhibitory effect of 5% Neem is significantly better than 5% Babool and 5% chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.05). At 10% and 50%, Neem and Babool are significantly better than chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.05). Inhibitory effect of Babool increases as the concentration increases (P < 0.05). The inhibitory effect of 5% and 50% chlorhexidine mouthwash is better than 10% chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Neem exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity compared with Babool and chlorhexidine mouthwash.