Efficacy of Four Herbal Extracts on Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans and Prophyromonas Gingivalis: an in vitro microbiological study.

Background Periodontitis is probably one of the most common diseases occurring worldwide caused by interaction of anaerobic and aerobic microorganism found in dental plaque. Medicinal plant extracts, rooted in traditions like Ayurveda, provide a promising avenue for antimicrobial study against periodontal pathogens. Objective To assess the antimicrobial properties of extracts from indigenous medicinal plants against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC: 29522) and Prophyromonas gingivalis (ATCC: 33277), two potent periodontal pathogens. Method Four medicinal plants grown in different altitudes of Nepal were selected Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala), Vajradanti (Barleria prionitis), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), and Ghotape (Centella asiatica), henceforth denoted as GP1, GP2, GP3 and GP4 respectively), and their extracts were prepared using standard biochemical protocol. Phytochemical composition was analyzed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS). Antimicrobial activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis was assessed through MIC, MBC, and zone of inhibition assays. Result All of the four extracts were found to have antimicrobial activities against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivitis. The dry extract of Tejpatta was the most effective for zone of inhibition with minimal concentration of 187.5 µg/ml for MIC and 750 µg/ml for MBC. Additionally, Vajradanti and Danti were also effective against P gingivalis with the highest zone of inhibition (25 mm) followed by the dry extract of Tejpatta (22 mm) at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. Conclusion Phytochemical analysis revealed diverse chemical compounds in the plant extracts, indicating a potential therapeutic value. Among the four herbal plants, GP1 (Cinnamomum tamala) was found as the most potent against A. actinomycetemcomitans. GP2 (Barleria prionitis), GP3 (Baliospermum montanum) and GP1 (Cinnamomum tamala) displayed significant inhibition zones against both the periodontal pathogens A. actinomycetemcomitans and P gingivalis.