Antimicrobial activity of Azadirachta Indica for prevention of Dental diseases

Abstract

Background: If it would be possible to find out the appropriate medicinal plants which will be effective against for the prevention of dental diseases, thus one can use these medicinal plants for dental care in order to prevent the invasion of dental diseases forming bacteria. Obviously, plants materials are available in the rural area of Bangladesh, and use of these plants will be cost effective, user friendly and acceptable to all label of people. More importantly, it could be one of best preventive measure for dental plaque formation. Objective: To observe the anti-bacterial activity of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) against the isolated oral bacteria to prevent dental diseases specifically dental plaque. Methods: This study was carried out among the patients having dental plaque attending at the Dental Unit of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, and Udayan Dental College and Hospital, Rajshahi Bangladesh. A total of 30 specimens of dental plaques were collected by simple random sampling in this study. Data were collected by oral examination, investigation and interviewing the patients having dental plaque. Microorganisms of oral cavity were isolated by culture of the dental plaques and tested against medicinal plants methanolic extracts at a concentration of 1 mg/disc, 2mg/disc and 3mg/ disc by disc diffusion method. Results: The study result showed antibacterial activity by implementation of Disc diffusion method. The zone of inhibition was in between 8mm to 20mm in 1 mg/- disc. The plant extracts were again subjected to antimicrobial test with 2 mg/disc against the plaque sample of 5 patients. To rationalize the antibacterial activity 3 mg/disc of plant extracts were used against plaque of 5 patients and in this case neem extract was showed the Significant antibacterial activity. Conclusion: Neem (Azadirachta Indica) has poten- tial antibacterial activity in general and in specific patients which is somehow dose dependent.