Effectiveness of Patchouli Leaf Extract (Pogostemon cablin) with Varying Concentrations as an Acrylic Denture Cleanser against the Growth of Candida albicans: An Experimental Laboratory Study

Abstract

Aims: A removable denture is a prosthesis that can be removed from the patient’s mouth for inspection, cleaning, and repair if damaged and has a positive effect on their quality of life. One of the characteristics of denture from acrylic resin materials is the porous properties that can lead to the accumulation of residual plaque, thereby increasing the number of microorganisms, such as Candida albicans fungi. Infection due to C. albicans can cause inflammation in the mucosa of the oral cavity commonly called denture stomatitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of denture cleaning ability of patchouli leaf extract (Pogostemon cablin) against C. albicans growth on acrylic resin base. Materials and Methods: The type of research used is post–test-only control group design to see whether denture cleaners from patchouli leaf extract are effective in inhibiting the growth of C. albicans on acrylic resin bases. C. albicans that has been cultured and then mixing it with a 0.9% NaCl solution until turbidity was obtained that is in accordance with the MacFarland standard or comparable with 1 × 108 CFU/mL. The number of samples in this study were 30 samples with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 2 mm divided into five groups with three different concentrations, namely 25%, 50%, 75%, 0.2% chlorhexidine, and water as a negative control. Statistical analysis tests using univariate test to see the number of C. albicans, one-way ANOVA test to see the effect of soaking and LSD test to see the obstacle. Results: The one-way ANOVA test shows a value of P = 0.000. The treatment groups with concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75% and 0.2% chlorhexidine to the water group with a value of P = 0.000, and the least average number of Candida Albicans colonies was found in concentrations of 25% and 50%. Conclusion: Immersion of acrylic resin dentures in patchouli leaf extract effectively inhibits the growth of C. albicans, especially at concentrations of 25% and 50%, therefore patchouli leaf extract can be recommended as a denture cleaning agent.