comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity and surface tension of a combination of herbal extracts in different ratios: An in vitro study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and surface tension of a combination of herbal extracts and compare them with the gold standard in irrigating solutions that is sodium hypochlorite. Methodology: A combination of lime peel and reetha extract and ashwagandha and triphala extract was prepared in the ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, and the antimicrobial activity of all the four groups was evaluated against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The microbial testing was done using the standard protocols for testing the zone of inhibition. The surface tensions of the prepared solutions were also evaluated using a tensiometer. The gold standard in irrigating solutions, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, was used as the positive control. Results: Results from the study showed that all the four solutions had antimicrobial activity, however, it was significantly lower than the control group. Intergroup comparison using one-way ANOVA within the groups showed a significant difference between the zone of inhibition of the solutions against E. faecalis and C. albicans with P = 0.001. Post hoc Tukey's test was applied to the results, and the groups showed a significant difference with the positive control. Within the groups, a significant difference was seen, indicating that there were differences between the zone of inhibition due to the separate solutions. The surface tension which gives an idea of the surface wetting capacity of the irrigating solution was better in the test groups. It was highest (67.94 dynes/cm) for the positive control that is NaOCl which signifies a lower surface wetting capacity. Conclusion: It was seen that the herbal ingredients did show antimicrobial activity, however, it was not as good as the gold standard NaOCl. The test groups, however, had a lower surface tension as compared to the control group which implies a better surface wetting capacity and a better ability of the solutions to reach the uninstrumented areas.