Evaluation of Syzygium aromaticum extract as an antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against dental caries infection

Abstract

Dental caries is the most prevalent and localized disease of the oral cavity. Many bacterial genera can act as oral pathogens e.g. Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Lactobacillus casei. In this study, the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) was evaluated against important dental caries-causing bacterial strains (S. mutans, P. aeruginosa, and L. casei). Three extracts of clove with various solvents i-e., 85% ethanol extract, distilled water, and methanol extract were used and processed to check the Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC). The disk diffusion method was performed to obtain the inhibition of bacterial growth. 85% ethanol extract showed the highest zone of inhibition of 16.8±1mm against S. mutans, methanol showed the highest zone of inhibition of 19.1±1mm against L. casei and Distilled H2O extract showed the highest zone of 14.8±1mm against P. aeruginosa. Ampicillin was used as a positive control. S. mutans had a 1.212 OD value at 540nm wavelength which is higher than the other two bacteria. All 3 extracts have less antibiofilm activity against L. casei as compared to other bacteria, on the other hand these extracts have high antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa. This study highlighted the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of S. aromaticum extracts against dental caries and therefore it can be used for medicinal purposes against dental caries infection.