Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) Alcoholic Root Extract Against Oral Pathogens

Abstract

Introduction: Eurycoma longifolia jack (E.L) is a herbal medicinal plant of SouthEast Asian origin, popularly recognized as 'Tongkat Ali.' The plant roots have been scientifically proven to have many biological effects including antibacterial activity however, no previous research to date has studied the effect on oral pathogens including cariogenic bacteria. This study was done to determine the antibacterial and antifungal activities of E.L. root extract against three common oral pathogens. Material and Methods: The microorganisms used were Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei. E.L root was extracted using soxhlet method. Disc diffusion assay was conducted using extract concentration of 200 mg/ml. Nystatin and Ampicillin were used as positive control for fungal and bacterial tests respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was done to determine the lowest inhibitory concentration of the extract on the microorganisms. Results: E.L extract inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans at a concentration of 200 mg/ ml with a zone of inhibition of 16.0 ± 3.0 mm and 7.0 ± 1.0 mm respectively. There was no antimicrobial effect of the extract on Lactobacillus casei. The MIC of E.L extract against both Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans was 25 mg/ml. Conclusions: The results from this study revealed the potential use of Eurycoma longifolia jack as an antimicrobial agent which can be used to produce new oral care products.

A Systematic Review on Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali)

“…Alloha et al [ 11 ] study on the effects of E. longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) alcoholic root extract against an oral pathogen. The root of E. longifolia ethanol extract with 200 mg/mL was tested using broth microdilution and agar disk diffusion test against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans .…”

Preparation of Euyrycoma Longifolia Jack (E.L) Tongkat Ali (Ta) Root Extract Hydrogel for Wound Application

“…Eurycoma longifolia Jack Tongkat Ali roots are the most important part of the plant, many studies have shown that the root has anti-malarial, aphrodisiac, anti-osteoporosis and anti-inflammatory effects 27 . Recently many studies have proved that the ethanol extract of Tongkat Ali roots possesses antioxidant and antibacterial properties against strains B. cereus, S.aureus, S. typhi 28 and Streptococcus mutans 29 . Moreover, ethanol-based Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract exhibited positive antifungal activity against A.fumigatus and C.albicans 29,30 .…”

“…Recently many studies have proved that the ethanol extract of Tongkat Ali roots possesses antioxidant and antibacterial properties against strains B. cereus, S.aureus, S. typhi 28 and Streptococcus mutans 29 . Moreover, ethanol-based Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract exhibited positive antifungal activity against A.fumigatus and C.albicans 29,30 . For the antiinflammatory activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root, 70% ethanol extract of E. longifolia Roots displayed anti-inflammatory effects due to the presence of phenolic acids, coumarins, triterpenoids, and terpenes.…”

Microbial Etiology and Prevention of Dental Caries: Exploiting Natural Products to Inhibit Cariogenic Biofilms

“…It is, however, known that one of the mechanisms of the antimicrobial action of alkaloids is the suppression of the pathogen cytokinesis. Polyphenols are known to play a role in the inactivation of cellular enzymes in pathogens [78,79]. More studies are, however, required to unveil more details about the mechanism of action of anti-caries bioactive compounds.…”