Anti-microbial activity of Punica granatum on streptococcus in dental caries patients and healthy individuals: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Researchers today are driven toward the medicinal and therapeutic value of the natural products like Aloe vera, basil, turmeric, green tea, pomegranate (Punica granatum) to prevent dental caries. The aim of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of pomegranate aril extract on streptococci in dental caries patients and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods:The study group included 40 subjects; age comprised of 18-26 years 20 dental caries patients were taken as an experimental group (after observing the decayed missing fi lled teeth index) and 20 healthy individuals without caries as a control group. Two samples were collected from each subject. The collected sample was streaked on Mitis Salivarius Agar, which was incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The colony forming units (CFU) were counted using manual colony counter, and the data were analyzed using paired t-test and unpaired t-test. Results:The results obtained after pomegranate swish in the experimental group showed a percentage reduction of 52.2% (P < 0.0001) and 33.8% (P < 0.0001) in control group for the CFU. The comparison of after sample between the experimental group and the control group was highly signifi cant. Conclusion:The result obtained in the study clearly demonstrates that the pomegranate aril extract has an antimicrobial eff ect against Streptococcus, thus acting as an anti-cariogenic agent.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of 20% Punica granatum, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite used alone or in combinations against Enterococcus faecalis: An in-vitro study

“…When PPE is combined with hypochlorite and CHX, the antibacterial property must have enhanced. [21] Further in-vivo studies are required to confirm the results in a polymicrobial endodontic environment of root canal system.…”

Antibacterial Inhibitory Effects of Punica Granatum Gel on Cariogenic Bacteria: An in vitro Study

“…Tannins could also inhibit important bacterial enzymes, such as glucosyltransferase which is important for binding of the bacteria to the tooth surface as well as to each other and if disrupted, it prevents the adherence mechanism of these organisms to tooth surface. 12 26 29 Another mechanism used by PG extract is the binding of phenolic compounds to carbohydrates and physiological metal ions, such as iron and copper making them unavailable for the microorganisms which affect the activity of metalloenzymes resulting in cell wall disruption. Polyphenols can also significantly affect the bacterial population by decreasing the pH of the environment.…”

“…Polyphenols can also significantly affect the bacterial population by decreasing the pH of the environment. 12 26 29 Although several studies have concluded that punicalagin is the major active constituent responsible for the antibacterial activity of PG, Lalwani et al stated that the synergistic effect of PG constituents is responsible for the anticariogenic effect of PG. 29 …”

Antibacterial effect of green tea and pomegranate peel extracts on Streptococcus mutans of orthodontic treated patients

“…It causes demineralization of inorganic tooth structure by metabolizing sucrose to lactic acid. It can also colonize tooth surfaces and initiate plaque formation through their ability to synthesize and bind extracellular polysaccharides (glucan) using the enzyme glucosyltransferase (Bai et al, 2016;Lalwani et al, 2014).…”

“…Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is the predominant member of the Punicaceae family and one of the oldest fruits known in ancient Egypt. Pomegranate is a potent antioxidant with anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties (Lalwani et al, 2014).…”