A combination approach to fight against E.faecalis and C.albicans

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Matricaria chamomilla, Chlorhexidine gel, Chitosan gel and their combination against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis.Methodology: Agar diffusion test is used to evaluate antimicrobial activity of 15% Matricaria chamomilla in aq. Base., 1% Chlorhexidine gel, 1% Chitosan gel and their combination (1% Chlorhexidine + 1%Chitosan gel) against C. albicans (ATCC 24433) and E. faecalis (ATCC 24212) strains. Vancomycin is used as positive control for E.faecalis and fluconazole for C.albicans. Statistical analysis was done using Wilcoxon rank -order test .Results : Combination of Chlorhexidine and Chitosan showed maximum inhibitory zone for C. albicans (33.26 mm) and E. faecalis (24.54 mm). Plain Chlorhexidine gel showed intermediate inhibitory zone for C. albicans (24.16 mm) and E. faecalis (20.62 mm) and plain Chitosan gel showed minimum inhibitory zone for C. albicans (14.6 mm) and E. faecalis (10.8 mm). Matricaria did not show any antimicrobial activity (0 mm).Conclusion : Combining Chlorhexidine gluconate gel with Chitosan gel may improve the antimicrobial activity of Chlorhexidine gel against C. albicans and E. faecalis in vivo rather than using alone. Matricaria chamomilla as 15% aq. base is not effective against E.faecalis and C.albicans.