Comparative Evaluation on the effect of Herbal mouthwash on Putative Periodontal Pathogens – In vitro study

Introduction: The architecture of dental plaque biofilms provides a resistant environment for bacteria. Chemical plaque control agents containing antimicrobials (chlorhexidine, herbal mouthwash) are adjunctively used to halt the growth of dental plaque. In order to overcome the adverse effects that result due to the extensive use of synthetic formulation, several herbal preparations have been tested for their effectiveness. In the current study, the effects of chlorhexidine (CHX) and herbal mouthwash in vitro on the planktonic and sessile phases of selected strains of putative periodontal pathogens are compared. Methods: The standard strains of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum were used for assessing the antimicrobial properties of the two mouthwashes. The methods of broth dilution and agar diffusion were used for assessing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the planktonic phase. The antimicrobial effects in the sessile phase were determined by crystal violet microtiter assay. Results: The broth dilution method showed no statistical significant difference in MIC between the two mouthwashes. The agar diffusion method showed a statistically significant difference between the two types of mouthwashes against the F. nucleatum. The crystal violet microtiter assay suggested that the herbal mouthwash exhibited an antimicrobial effect even after 24 hrs on a mixed biofilm. Conclusion: Antimicrobial action exerted by the herbal mouthwash after 24 hrs was higher than that of CHX, against a biofilm constituting the three putative periodontal pathogens.