Effect of Aqueous Extract Mixture of Rhus Coriaria L.-Punica Garanatum-Rosa Damanscene on Streptococcus Mutans Compared to Chlorhexidine: An In-Vitro Study

Dental caries is a prevalent infectious disease, and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most common bacteria associated with dental cavities. To control oral bacterial infections, especially S. mutans, different antimicrobial compounds and solutions have been used. Given the increasing side effects of these compounds, assiduous attention has also been devoted to the use of medicinal plants as an alternative. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential effect of a mixture of the aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L., Punica granatum, and Rosa × damascena on S. mutans.

This experimental study assessed the effect of the mixture of the aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L., Punica granatum, and Rosa × damascena on S. mutans. Eight different concentrations of Rhus coriaria L., Punica granatum, and Rosa × damascena extracts (0.078, 0.156, 0.312, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL) were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Moreover, %10 solutions of these extracts were used to determine the inhibition zone diameter using the cup-plate method. Chlorhexidine solution 2% was used as a positive control in both methods.

MIC and MBC values of Rhus coriaria L., Punica granatum, and Rosa × damascenaextracts against S. mutans were reported as 2.5 and 5 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, a mean inhibition zone diameter of 21±2.2 mm in the cup-plate method demonstrated that a 10% concentration of the extracts had an antimicrobial effect on S. mutans. Furthermore, the mean inhibition zone diameter of chlorhexidine solution 2% was obtained at 18±1.8 mm.

 As evidenced by the obtained results, the mixture of the aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L., Punica granatum, and Rosa × damascena had an antibacterial activity on S. mutans. In addition, the formulation of the studied extracts was more effective than 2% chlorhexidine against S. mutans.