Evaluation of Antifungal Effects of Tablets containing Ginger on Dentures Contaminated with Candida (In Vitro)

Background: Denture stomatitis (DS) due to Candida albicans is a chronic inflammation of mucous membranes that occurs beneath acrylic resin dentures. Various antifungal and disinfecting agents with different formulations are used to treat this condition with different side effects. Recently, the use of herbal medicines has attracted attention in the treatment of medical and dental conditions. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of effervescent tablets containing ginger on complete dentures in patients with oral fungal infections in vitro. Methods: In the present in vitro study, 81 acrylic resin dentures were divided into 3 groups and contaminated with Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei fungal species, and each group was assigned to 3 groups, then immersed in solutions containing effervescent ginger tables, nystatin (as a positive control group), and distilled water (as a negative control group). The dentures underwent fungal culture procedures at 30-, 60-, and 180-minute intervals. Finally, the study groups were investigated for the presence or absence of fungal colonies. Results: According to the results, the mean fungal colonies in the nystatin group were generally less than that in the ginger tablet group. The antifungal effect of nystatin began earlier than the ginger tablet, (i.e., in the presence of nystatin), and Candida counts diminished to zero after 60 minutes; however, this happened after 180 minutes in the effervescent ginger tablet solution. Conclusions: Although the antifungal effect of nystatin was higher and faster than that of ginger-containing effervescent tablets, if necessary, it is possible to use ginger tablets for a longer time to eliminate fungal contaminants from dentures. Ginger-containing effervescent antifungal tablets require 180 minutes to exert their antifungal effect.