Antimicrobial Effects of Zataria multiflora Extract Mouthrinse on Orthodontic Elastomeric Ligatures- an In Vitro Study

 The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare antibacterial and antifungal effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora extract mouthrinse.

 In this lab trial study, 128 elastomeric ligatures were divided into 2 groups of 64. Before disinfection eight ligatures of each group were randomly selected to evaluate the microbial load. The remaining ligatures in each group (n = 58) were divided into 7 subgroups of 8. All samples in group 1 (G1) contaminated with Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and in group 2 (G2) contaminated with Candida albicans (C. albicans). Then, Zataria multiflora extract in 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, 0.001%, 0.0001% concentrations as decontamination agent were used in 5 subgroups of each group. Positive control consisted of penicillin in G1 and nystatin in G2. For the negative control in both groups phosphate buffered saline was used. The average number of adhered viable bacterial cell after performing the disinfection protocols were calculated and compared. The collected data was statistically analyzed by Kruskal-wallis, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney test using SPSS software version 18 at a significant level of 0.05.

 Results showed that penicillin, nystatin, Zataria multiflora extract in 1% and 0.1% concentrations completely eliminated C. albicans and S. mutans on elastomeric ligatures. Statistically significant differences were found between the number of adhered S. mutans and C. albicans before and after performing the all five concentrations of disinfection solutions (P = 0.01). Also higher concentrations of Zataria multiflora showed more antibacterial effectse in both groups.

 Zataria multiflora extract mouthrinse showed antibacterial and antifungal characteristics and could be useful for patients under orthodontic treatment.