Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of Tulsi <i>(Ocimum sanctum)</i> extract against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>: An <i>in vitro</i> study

• Main Authors: Agarwal Pooja, Nagesh L, Murlikrishnan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dental Research
• Subjects: Antimicrobial activity; <i>Ocimum sanctum; Streptococcus mutans</i>; Tulsi extract
• Online Access: http://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2010;volume=21;issue=3;spage=357;epage=359;aulast=Agarwal

<b>Aim:</b> To determine if Tulsi <i>(Ocimum sanctum)</i> extract has an antimicrobial activity against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and to determine which concentration of Tulsi <i>(Ocimum sanctum)</i> extract among the 15 concentrations investigated has the maximum antimicrobial activity. <b>Setting and Design:</b> Experimental design, <i>in vitro</i> study, Lab setting. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Ethanolic extract of Tulsi was prepared by the cold extraction method. The extract was then diluted with an inert solvent, dimethyl formamide, to obtain 15 different concentrations (0.5&#x0025;, 1&#x0025;, 1.5&#x0025;, 2&#x0025;, 2.5&#x0025;, 3&#x0025;, 3.5&#x0025;, 4&#x0025;, 4.5&#x0025;, 5&#x0025;, 6&#x0025;, 7&#x0025; 8&#x0025;, 9&#x0025;, 10&#x0025;) of the extract. 0.2&#x0025; chlorhexidine was used as a positive control and dimethyl formamide was used as a negative control. The extract, along with the controls, was then subjected to microbiological investigation to determine which concentration among the 15 different concentrations of the extract gave a wider inhibition zone against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>. The zones of inhibition were measured in millimeters using a vernier caliper. <b>Results:</b> At the 4&#x0025; concentration of Tulsi extract, a zone of inhibition of 22 mm was obtained. This was the widest zone of inhibition observed among all the 15 different concentrations of Tulsi that were investigated. <b>Conclusion:</b> Tulsi extract demonstrated an antimicrobial property against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>.